Age: 19
Level: Low-A
Position: Shortstop
Bats/Throws: Left/Right
Height/Weight: 6’2″/210 pounds
Acquired: 2025 Draft, 1st Round
Current BSB Ranking: 1
Previous BSB Ranking: 1
Pic Credit: Baseball America
Player Summary
Brief Summary
Ethan Holliday entered the Rockies system with massive expectations as the son of franchise icon Matt Holliday and brother of Orioles star Jackson Holliday. The 6-foot-4 Oklahoma native already flashes elite power potential, with scouts projecting 40-homer upside. His brief stint in Fresno showed swing-and-miss concerns, but also patience and extra-base impact. If mechanical tweaks improve his contact rate, Holliday’s bat could produce huge numbers, while his defensive future likely settles at third base.
More detailed breakdown
One of the most hyped Rockies draft picks of all-time, Ethan Holliday looks to live up to a truly legendary backstory. The son of Rockies all-timer Matt Holliday and brother of Orioles standout (and former #1 overall pick) Jackson Holliday, expectations are no friend of Ethan Holliday. Standing 6-foot-4 with an already strong frame, the Oklahoma kid looks the part. He’s got a quick bat that scouts believe could generate 40 homer output in the future.
A cup of coffee with Fresno late in the season wasn’t overly kind to the now 19-year-old, though the bright spots are certainly being overlooked. Playing as an 18-year-old, Holliday struck out 39.3% of the time in an 84-plate-appearance sample, but he did record 6 extra base hits, including a pair of home runs, and drew a 14.3% walk rate. The swing-and-miss was concerning, but Holliday’s hands were set extremely high, and in Spring Training it’s already evident that Ethan and the Rockies want to shorten his swing. We’ll need to see it to believe it, but the kid has already shown he can do damage against pro pitching. A slight improvement in the contact department could have Holliday posting gaudy offensive numbers.
Drafted as a shortstop, Holliday appears to be getting a fair crack at developing in the middle of the diamond. He’s not the smoothest athlete by 1st round draft standards, but for his size, he gets around and has a supreme skill level on the dirt with quality hands and feet and a strong arm. The logical long-term fit for Holliday is 3B, though the club could also consider getting him time in the outfield.
With mountainous expectations, it feels like Holliday will always be pushing uphill, but if he can even come close to realizing all his potential, the Rockies will have a franchise cornerstone on their hands and an excellent legacy story. Written by Tyler Paddor.
Player Links
MLB.com player page | Fangraphs | Baseball Savant | Baseball Reference
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