Hunter
Hollan

The Razorback lefthander was featured earlier this season after his performance at the College Baseball Showdown at Globe Life Field during opening weekend. He was pegged as a potential third rounder at that time and although his fastball velocity did not reach the 92-95 mph range during his most recent outing against South Carolina, he still had the look of a third round pick. His ability to pitch was outstanding as he mixed an 89-91 mph fastball (2400-2600 rpm), 86-89 cutter (2300-2575), 77-81 slider (2300-2500), 73-76 curve (2250-2450) and 84-86 changeup (1750-1950). Nothing Hollan threw was straight and he made pitches to all parts of the strike zone. He was efficient through eight innings, throwing just 94 total pitches, but then logged 19 more in the ninth to finish his complete game masterpiece with a total of 113. He gave up one run on five hits, walked two and struck out 10. My sense is that his velocity has ticked down a bit due to the fatigue of a long spring season. His 6-foot-5, 195 pound long, slender build is not ideal for durability, but with future physical maturity and strength gains his velo will bounce back to at least what he pitched with during opening weekend. In what is sure to be another crazy draft with all the pitching injuries, Hollan, Quinn Mathews (Stanford) and Sean Sullivan (Wake Forest) are the three best currently healthy left-handers that I’ve seen this season. Expect all three to receive some helium due to supply and demand. And don’t be surprised if Hollan goes late during Day One which is the top 70 picks.

Less than seven months removed from junior college, Hollan’s velocity has already jumped. I first saw Hollan last January 30 for San Jacinto JC when he was signed to attend TCU. He showed strong pitchability with a 2300-2400 rpm fastball ranging from 87-89 mph. He worked exclusively from the stretch and landed across his body, producing good angle from a three-quarter release point. Hollan also added and subtracted well on his breaking ball with a 70-74 mph curve as the better pitch on that look, while his 78-79 mph slider spun tight at 2550 rpm, but was flat for the most part. Fast forward to the Showdown where the long and lean, 6-foot-5, 195 pounder showed a loose, three-quarters arm action that produced 92-95 mph heat. He still worked exclusively from the stretch with a little crossfire action in his delivery that added some deception. His slider velo has also ticked up to 83-84, while he mixed a harder cutter-like version up to 87. He repeated the slider, consistently keeping it down in the zone and away from left handed hitters. Hollan also mixed an average pro-quality curveball at 73-75, which he showcased more against lefties and he landed a mid-80s changeup for strikes that was tough at times to distinguish from his cutter. At this rate of improvement, Hollan is already an easy top three round prospect with higher rounds not out of the question as he continues to develop and perform this spring.

Looked dominant against the Rangers Instructional team this fall, striking out four in two hitless innings. Long and lean at 6-foot-5, 195 pounds with a loose, whippy high three-quarters arm action that produces 93-95 mph heat and a little crossfire action in his delivery that adds some deception. He showed the feel to spin a slider around 80 mph with good tilt that he threw effectively in on righties, and also a curveball with more depth and downer action at 75-77, which he showcased more against lefties. And he landed his 85-87 changeup for strikes. Hollan looks to have the ability to either start or relieve for the Razorbacks.

Ranked No. 26, the TCU recruit showed strong pitchability with a 2300-2400 rpm fastball ranging from 87-89 mph. Working exclusively from the stretch, the 6-foot-5 lefty landed across his body, producing good angle from a three-quarter release point. He also added and subtracted well on his breaking ball. His 70-74 mph curve was the better pitch on this look, missing many bats, while his 78-79 mph slider spun tight at 2550 rpm, but was flat for the most part. Hollan also mixed in a firm, sinking changeup in the low-80s. Over 3.1 innings, he allowed five hits, one walk and no runs while striking out five.