Luke
Holman

The Tigers’ ace is a high-pitchability righthander, the type that moves quickly through minors to AAA. At that point command becomes the telltale. One thing for certain is that Holman has the type of polished delivery with a consistent release point that has a high likelihood to develop plus-plus command at the Major League level and enable him to pitch for a long time. Against Vanderbilt his fastball peaked at 93 and lived at 91. It played as multiple pitches with his ability to spot on both edges of the plate, and he also elevated to the letters on occasion. However, he was mostly an east/west navigator with his fastball, while mixing three shapes of the same breaking ball – a slow 75 mph get-me-over that he uses to steal strikes early in the count, a firmer 79-81 even-count bender that got some swing-and-miss, and a slider-shaped offering at 83-84 that he mainly used with two strikes for chase and putaway. Of the three his slider was his main weapon. For the season it has produced a 56.9 whiff%, which ranks in the 99th percentile of college baseball this season (per 643 Charts). After striking out eight of the first 12 Commodores and retiring the first 13 in a row, Holman yielded a four-spot in the fifth and two unearned runs in the sixth before departing after 97 pitches in 5.2 innings. He struck out 10 and walked no one to improve his season totals to 71 strikeouts against 13 walks in 44.2 innings. Ironically, Holman is the pitcher that scouts love to watch pitch with his efficiency and strike-throwing ability, but he's also the type of college pitcher whose value gets suppressed in the draft due to the lack of big velo. His performance statistics will push him up boards, while his pitch analytics may drop him back down. Holman will likely be considered starting in the Competitive Balance Round A (around pick No. 35).

USA CNT: Six-foot-4, 195-pound righthander showed a clean, starter-type delivery with a downhill plane from a high three-quarter release point. His quick arm produced 91-93 mph fastballs, but he looked uncomfortable on the mound and struggled to find the strike zone during the trials. It was a tough outing to watch after seeing him deal at Vanderbilt in early May when his fastball tickled 96-97 and his low-80s curve ball crackled. However, he cleaned up what ailed him and absolutely dealt during against Chinese Taipei and Japan pitching eight innings and striking out 15 with just two walks and five hits allowed.

Alabama commit. 6-foot-4, 185-pound right-hander has an athletic, well proportioned frame with room to continue adding strength. Fastball sat 87-89 from a high 3/4 arm slot with a fluid, loose arm action. Fastball has current late riding life and should continue to develop with additional physical maturity. Curveball is a plus pitch with 12/6 rotation and an extremely high spin rate thrown at fastball arm speed sitting 71-73. Showed feel for his changeup at 72-74 with some sinking action and a splitter with tumbling action at 71-75. 

6-foot-4, 180-pound righty continued to show why he is one of the top underclass arms in the state. On this date Holman sat 86-89 with late life to his fastball, especially up in the zone. His high 3/4 arm slot and loose, easy arm swing will likely continue to add velocity over the next two years of high school. Holman's 12/6 curveball at 72-75 has sharp two-plane biting break and is a true swing and miss pitch. A splitter at 74-76 has tumbling action and works well as a third pitch in his arsenal.

2018 PBR Future Games - Team Pennsylvania participant. 6-foot-3, 180-pound primary pitcher continues to add strength to his athletic frame. Sat 87-89 on this date from a balanced, repeatable delivery with a loose, whippy high 3/4 arm action. Curveball has tight 11/5 rotation with two-plane action and sits 70-74. Also showed solid feel for his changeup at 70-73. Throws an effective split finger as well, but did not do so on this date. The right-handed hitter starts from a slightly open stance and initiates his swing with a leg-hang stride. Displayed a long, loose swing with above average feel for the barrel and a bat exit velocity of 94 mph. Ran a 7.08 60-yard dash and showcased easy actions at shortstop with the athleticism to play multiple defensive positions.

Facing a deep and talented Allegheny Pirates offense Holman was just as sharp as he was two weeks ago as a member of Team Pennsylvania at the PBR Future Games. The 6-foot-2, 170-pound righty sat 85-86 from a high 3/4 arm slot while getting repeated swinging strikes from his curveball at 72/73. Holman's curveball is an advanced pitch with a very high spin rate and a chance to be a difference maker at the next level. The sophomore also utilized a changeup with good sell at 71-73 and a splitter that showed tumbling action at 68-71. He allowed one hit over three innings while striking out four.

6-foot-1, 170-pound primary pitcher flashed athleticism in a frame that is just beginning to mature. The freshman sat 80-84 from a high 3/4 arm slot with an easy, repeatable delivery. While it is easy to dream on a ceiling for fastball velocity it is Holman's two secondary pitches that will make him a highly coveted pitching recruit in this class. The curveball is thrown with an advanced spin rate and shows sharp two-plane break at 67-69. Holman also commands an advanced splitter at 66-69 that showed consistent armside run and sink.

The right-handed hitter starts from a square stance and initiates his swing with a leg-lift stride. There is some drop of the hands in the load phase, but he manages to get them back to a point of strength prior to launch. Showcased a feel for the barrel and a bat exit velocity of 87 mph. Ran a 7.31 60-yard dash and showcased a soft glove hand and active feet defensively at shortstop.

+ 2018 PBR Future Games Selection (Team Pennsylvania)

+ 2019 PBR Future Games Selection (Team Pennsylvania)