Archive for Brad Holt
Top 50 In Depth: No. 49 – Brad Holt
Posted by: | CommentsBirthdate: 10/13/1986 (25-years-old)
Height/Weight: 6’4” / 194 lbs.
Bats/Throws: Right / Right
Drafted: 1st Round (33rd overall) in 2008
College: University of North Carolina, Wilmington
Position: RP
Top Level in 2011: AA – Binghamton Mets
2011 Rank: 22
2011 Season:
2011 was a very lackadaisical season from the former top 100 prospect. He opened the year in the Binghamton rotation and made 13 starts with very poor results. He posted a 5.03 ERA and more alarmingly had a 42:39 BB:SO ratio, seeming to have a carry over from last year. The Mets moved him into the bullpen and things almsot immediately looked better.
He made eight appearances out of the pen in July and looked like the old Brad Holt, posting a 2:13 BB:SO ratio in 12 innings while giving up just seven hits. The ERA was still just 4.50, but his FIP for the month was a much improved 2.62. August came around and he resorted back to being the same guy he has been over the last two years with seven walks in 15.2 innings.
Summary:
You have to give him some credit for bouncing back somewhat from the atrocious 2010 (3-14, 8.34). However, he is already 25-years-old and has lost a tick on his fastball, but MAYBE there is a chance he makes it as a middle reliever. Not the number two or three starter we once envisioned, but it is better than being a minor league burnout.
Here is my question about Holt:
The left one is Holt back in 2008 (when he was good) and the right one is him last year (when he sucked).
Now I understand the conventional wisdom is to have a relief pitcher throw out of the stretch all the time, but he looks so uncomfortable out of the stretch. Check out this video of him throwing a warm up pitch for more evidence. He seems to lose his fluidity when using the low leg kick. Again here is another video to back my point up. I saw some decent breaking balls and a nice changeup while he was using the high leg kick and when they show him pitching with the low leg kick what happened? He pegged it right into the dirt. If I am the Mets I have him using his full wind up out of the pen and see if it helps him regain any of his control.
Final Grade: 5.0D-4.5C
Previous First Round Reactions
Posted by: | CommentsA fanpost over at Minor League Ball about one fan’s reactions to the past Red Sox draft got me thinking about how I have felt about the Mets picks over the years and how good my feelings about them have been.
2007
Eddie Kunz – Thought this pick was just dumb. I hate drafting relievers in the first round unless they are supposed to be the next Mariano.
Not only was Kunz not the next Mo, he just sucks. If Allan Dykstra becomes anything at all it will ease the pain.Nathan Vineyard – Big, projectable left-hander who could already hit the low 90’s. There were not going to be any complaints from me.
Had some good K number and showed some potential, but retired at 19 so we will never know if I was right or not about him.
2008
Ike Davis – I wasn’t a huge supporter of this pick. I was still holding out hope Freddie Coupons would open up the wallet for once and pick Gerrit Cole.
I was dead wrong about this one.Reese Havens – I LOVED this pick. It was my favorite of the draft for the Mets.
He hasn’t stayed healthy, but when he has played he has been amazing. I don’t doubt he would be the Mets starting second baseman if it wasn’t for the injuries.Brad Holt – Thought this was a HUGE overdraft. Had a good fastball, but nothing else.
Early on he made me look stupid, but lately I’m thinking I was right for not liking it.
Brett Wallace and Ike Davis
2009
Steven Matz – I liked this pick a lot. Anytime you can grab the local kid, especially with how rare they are in NY I am all for it.
Too early to make a judgment because of the injury.
2010
Matt Harvey – Wanted Chris Sale or Yasmani Grandal so I wasn’t thrilled with the pick, but I thought it was okay and was pretty happy because of his upside.
You won’t hear my complaining about the pick at all now even though I still like those two a lot.
While almost all of these could still get an “incomplete” grade I think my record right now would be 4-1-2. The three right being Harvey, Havens (Assuming he gets healthy liking this pick will be good), Holt’s command looks like it is too big of an issue for him to make and impact, and Kunz sucks. Ike Davis was clearly a big miss by me. Just never saw this potential in his bat. No one could have seen Vineyard retiring like that and Matz hasn’t pitched so he gets an incomplete.
I am pretty happy with my initial gut feelings of the draft picks so far as long as Havens comes back healthy.
Holt, Marte Make BA’s Hot Sheet
Posted by: | Comments| No. 8 | BRAD HOLT, RHP | METS |
 Team: Double-A Binghamton (Eastern)Age: 24 Why He’s Here: 0-0, 1.29, 2 GS, 13 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 11 SO, 3 BB, 19/4 G/F The Scoop: In his third try at Double-A, Holt isn’t out of the woods yet. But he’s off and running after allowing two runs through three starts. He flashed good stuff last year, but a combination of injuries, mechanical issues and lack of focus produced dreadful results (3-14, 8.34, 2.00 WHIP, 7.5 walks per nine innings). Through the early going this season, Holt is throwing his pitches for strikes, getting swings and misses, inducing grounders and generally living up to his No. 3 starter potential. |
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| 2011 Stats | ||
| No. 13 | JEFRY MARTE, 3B | METS |
 Team: high Class A St. Lucie (Florida State)Age: 19 Why He’s Here: .409/.481/.864 (9-for-22), 3 HR, 1 2B, 8 RBIs, 7 R, 4 BB, 6 SO The Scoop: St. Lucie has jumped off to a Florida State League-best 13-2 record and they’ve done so with some of the Mets’ finest prospects. Righthanders Matt Harvey and Jeurys Familia have given up a total of three runs in six starts, while the offense features shortstop Wilmer Flores and right fielder Cesar Puello, the system’s Nos. 2 an 3 prospects who both appear to be shaking off the rust early in the season. The same is not true of Marte, who paces the St. Lucie attack with a .340 average (17-for-50), eight walks, three home runs and 10 RBIs. Marte spent last season playing in the shadow of Flores and Puello with low Class A Savannah, but he appears to be completely healthy this season as he makes up for a so-so 2010 campaign (.264/.333/.401, six homers in 82 games). |
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| 2011 Stats | ||
Surprised Brad Holt got the nod over Matt Harvey or Jeurys Familia. Holt’s turn around has been just huge for this farm system and making it look a lot better than it was before the year. Happy for Mark Cohoon who also finally got some love from a big time scouting service.
When your fastball tops out at 90 mph, you need to have plenty of savvy, not to mention some quality secondary offerings, to make it work. That’s the case for Mets LHP Mark Cohoon, who’s allowed just one earned run in 19 innings this season for Double-A Binghamton. In his only start this week, the 23-year-old threw seven innings without allowing an earned run (he did give up two unearned) to lower his ERA to 0.47. He struck out 11, a career high, didn’t walk anybody and gave up just five hits . . .
To read about the rest of the hot prospects in baseball click here.
Sean Ratliff Needs Facial Surgery + More Minor League News
Posted by: | CommentsAdam Rubin brings us some prospecting news today….
- The first tidbit is regarding top outfield prospect Sean Ratliff who was struck in the face with a foul ball while standing in the on deck circle during a minor league spring training game that will require facial surgery. Ratliff broke six bones in the eye and sinus area that need repair. He also needed fifteen stitches. It is still uncertain whether or not he will need a plate inserted although on a positive sign his vision has been unaffected.
- In a bit of sad news the Mets officially released center fielder Manny Garcia. I was a big fan of Garcia’s and thought he had a really bright future as a shortstop in the league who played good defense and caused havoc on the base paths. It is pretty obvious things never really worked out for Garcia because of some on the field and off the field issues. Wish him the best of luck in whatever he winds up doing.
- The Mets seem prepared to be converting Brooklyn Cyclones closer Ryan Fraser to a starting role for the Savannah Sand Gnats this upcoming season. Fraser saw time both in the rotation and in the pen in college and because of the great success he had after being drafted year with his plus fastball and slider it makes sense why the Mets would like to give him a shot in the rotation, but ultimately he probably winds back up in the pen.
- A rare occurrence took place as Brad Holt fired five scoreless innings in his last spring training tune up start. If there was ever a make or break year for a prospect it is this year for Holt.
- In major league news Jason Isringhausen agreed to remain in extended spring training for a few more weeks. The more arms the better. In a way I hope the Mets will need him so I didn’t learn to spell his name for no reason.
Mets prospect Sean Ratliff in St. Lucie
2011 Top 50 Prospects: Prospects 21-30
Posted by: | CommentsAll grades are subject to change.You can find a full listing of the Top 50 Prospects of 2011 Archive Page.
QUICK PRIMER ON GRADE MEANINGS:
Grade A prospects are the elite. They have a good chance of becoming stars or superstars. Almost all Grade A prospects develop into major league regulars, if injuries or other problems don’t intervene. Note that is a major “if” in some cases.
Grade B prospects have a good chance to enjoy successful careers. Some will develop into stars, some will not. Most end up spending several years in the majors, at the very least in a marginal role.
Grade C prospects are the most common type. These are guys who have something positive going for them, but who may have a question mark or three, or who are just too far away from the majors to get an accurate feel for. A few Grade C guys, especially at the lower levels, do develop into stars. Many end up as role players or bench guys. Some don’t make it at all.
-John Sickels
21. Akeel Morris | SP | GCL | Age – 18 | Drafted – 10th Round 2010 (C+)
Part of me wanted to get him into the top 20, but I guess I’ll save that for next year. Extremely young prospect with a big arm showed he had a little more polish than what cost him to last until the 10th round. Probably the prospect most poised for a “breakout” season.
Best Case Outcome – (Too early) #2 Starter
Most Likely Outcome – Relief arm/Career minor leaguer
22. Brad Holt | SP | HiA | Age – 24 | Drafted – 1st Round 2008 (C+)
His season was just disgustingly awful. No command of his pitches is costing him dearly and how does a player regress when getting demoted to go play in a less talented league and in our better pitcher’s park? Stuff and pedigree is the only thing keeping him up here.
Best Case Outcome – #5 starter
Most Likely Outcome – Relief arm/Career minor leaguer
23. Jefry Marte | 3B | LoA | Age – 19 | Drafted – IFA 2007 (C+)
He’s still young, but at some point he is going to have to start hitting again like he did back in ’08 in the GCL. There just hasn’t been much power or average and he doesn’t play great defense to make up for that.
Best Case Outcome – Starting 3rd baseman
Most Likely Outcome – Career minor leaguer
24. Steven Matz | SP | DNP | Age – 19 | Drafted 2nd Round 2009 (C+)
Didn’t pitch last year because of Tommy John Surgery. I still like his stuff and potential as I am not as worried about young pitchers having TJS anymore.
Best Case Outcome – #3 starter
Most Likely Outcome – #4 starter/reliever
*No Stats*
25. Brian Harrison | 3B | LoA | Age – 22 | Drafted – 13th Round 2010 (C)
My favorite draft pick from the 2010 class after the initial round guys. If he can stay healthy he has a chance to sky rocket up this list. A great hitter with good power. Remember this name and don’t sleep on him.
Best Case Outcome – Starting 3rd baseman
Most Likely Outcome – Bench player
26. Josh Satin | 2B/1B | AA | Age – 26 | Drafted – 6th Round 2008 (C)
Has done nothing but hit since being drafted his only downfall is his age. I’ve liked him since seeing him in Brooklyn and think he can become a useful MLB player.
Best Case Outcome – Starter on bad team
Most Likely Outcome – Bench player
27. Erik Goeddel | P | GCL | Age – 22 | Drafted – 24th R0und 2010 (C)
Another late round pick who can really move up in the prospect world if he can remain healthy. Big time fastball and slider, but has some arm troubles and had to be shut down last year after just 1 inning because of soreness.
Best Case Outcome – #3 starter/closer
Most Likely Outcome – Set up man
28. Jordany Valdespin | 2B | AA | Age – 23 | Drafted – IFA 2007 (C)
Stuck behind some players on the depth chart, but the Mets liked him enough to add him to the 40 man roster and keep him safe from the Rule V draft and avoid another Jesus Flores incident. Still a bit of an enigma, but he has talent with this being a crucial season for him.
Best Case Outcome – Bench player
Most Likely Outcome – Career minor leaguer
29. Ryan Fraser | CL | SSA | Age – 22 | Drafted – 16th Round 2010 (C)
Big armed reliever whose didn’t fare that well in college. Things changed with the switch to wood bats and he dominated the NYPL with his fastball. Looked real good in person. Like his stuff a lot.
Best Case Outcome – Set up man
Most Likely Outcome – middle reliever
30. Robbie Shields | SS | LoA | Age – 23 | Drafted – 3rd Round 2009 (C)
Hit very well coming off TJS. Will need to push through the system pretty quickly at his age, but he has the potential to do so. His minor problem is the chances of him sticking at short dropped dramatically with his TJS. Position will be important for his bat.
Best Case Outcome – Bench player
Most Likely Outcome – Career minor leaguer
Struggling Holt Demoted, Maldonado Promoted
Posted by: | Comments
Coming into the season as the Mets 6th best prospect everything was looking good for Brad Holt. He was moving through the system quicker then expected, but then things started to take a free fall for Holt. He started the year off hurt and when he came back things just went as bad as they possibly could. In 10 games he has gone 1-5 with a staggering 10.20 ERA. He is giving up nearly a walk per inning and giving up well over resulting in his ugly 2.15 WHIP. In his first two seasons in the minors Holt had displayed pretty good command and he is still getting his fair share of strikeouts so I’d have to think Holt is still feeling the effects of his injury whether it is causing him to alter his mechanics or what, but he is definitely not 100%.
Moves:
Brad Holt transferred from AA (Binghamton) to HiA (St. Lucie)
Brahiam Maldonado transferred from HiA (St. Lucie) to AA (Binghamton)
John Maine transferred from AA (Binghamton) to AAA (Buffalo)
Juan Centeno transferred from AA (Binghamton) to SSA (Brooklyn)
Some Binghamton Moves
Posted by: | Comments
Due to extreme ineffectiveness the BMets have removed top prospect Brad Holt from the starting rotation. Holt has been awful this year, especially in his last two starts where he has given up 13 runs in just 6.2 innings. Holt was scheduled to pitch tonight against the Richmond Flying Squirrels, but has been pulled and replaced with Eric Niesen who is returning from a concussion suffered back in April.
Consequently the man who gave Niesen the concussion, catcher Luke Montz, had surgery last week to repair a torn radial collateral ligament in his thumb and will remain on the DL for at least eight weeks.
Probably the most disheartening news is that third baseman Zach Lutz is also being placed on the DL with a stress fracture in his left foot. His timetable to return in between six to eight weeks. Lutz has a great bat, but just can’t seem to stay healthy. Sound like a theme with the Mets? Before going down with the injury Lutz had been first on the BMets and second in the organization with 8 homeruns. D.J. Wabick will take his place on the roster.
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