When the Colorado Rockies selected Ethan Holliday with the fourth overall pick back in July, the stars seemed to have aligned. The Rockies had managed to pick up one of the top prospects in the draft, who will hopefully be part of turning the ship around and building a contender in the future.
It didn’t take long for the kid to jump into the action. Not long after getting drafted, Holliday was in uniform in Arizona getting oriented in the world of professional baseball at the Rockies continuation
camp, but he was eager to start playing games.
He would get his wish a month after being drafted when the Rockies assigned him to the Low-A Fresno Grizzlies in the midst of their second-half playoff push.
On August 12, Holliday made his professional debut batting second and playing shortstop. Despite being just 18 years old, just a few months removed from playing in high school, he looked unfazed standing in the batter’s box. He wasted no time checking off a couple of milestones with his first professional hit as well as his first RBI.
In his first taste of professional baseball, Holliday played 20 games, including two playoff games, with the Grizzlies. In that small sample size, he slashed .228/.344/.354 in 93 plate appearances. It’s easy to look at that line and wish he had been able to come out of the gate and immediately look like a player who could join the Rockies tomorrow. After all, that’s the sort of expectations that have surrounded his name.
However, he is incredibly young, and Low-A baseball is a much different level of competition than he has ever faced. Still, thanks to his baseball pedigree and the preparation he had had throughout his life, it was easy to tell that he belonged on a baseball field and wasn’t overwhelmed by the challenge.
Holliday managed at least one hit in 13 of the 20 games he played. All things considered, that’s not a bad result for the young player. Of his 17 hits, six of them were for extra bases with four doubles and two home runs. His first professional home run on September 2 was a monster blast that tied the game late.
A few days later, he clubbed his second home run as part of a three-hit performance.
By the way, does that swing look eerily similar to someone else?
The swing has looked competent and competitive. In the small sample size, he posted a 108 wRC+ and boasted a 59.9% contact rate. The tools are still raw, but there was plenty to be optimistic about when you Holliday stepped up to the plate.
Perhaps more impressive was the fact that he was able to show examples of plate discipline, a trait that will hopefully continue to evolve. He drew 13 walks when all was said and done, as well as one intentional walk. In September alone, he drew six across seven games. Drawing walks and making contact were tools that made his father so effective across a fantastic career.
However, the elephant in the room that carried over with Holliday from the draft circuit was the strikeouts. There is little reason to put much stock in matters such as this at an early point in his career, but it’s worth keeping an eye on.
He struck out 38 times in 93 plate appearances, a 40.9% rate, and only had three games in which he didn’t strike out a single time. He had six games in which he struck out three or more times. Obviously, it’s not a trend he should hope to continue throughout his career but it highlights some of the things he will have to adapt in professional baseball.
The high fastball seemed to be quite the challenge for him, as it is for most young hitters. There was a pitch near the bill of his helmet in the ninth inning during the first game of the playoffs that Holliday swung at for his fourth strikeout of the game. Scouts were worried that breaking pitches would be an issue, as well as the elevated fastball. So far, they look correct, but again, it’s so early in his career that he looks capable of making the adjustment as he develops. Luckily, he doesn’t have to rely on the Rockies solely as he does have an excellent support system behind him to turn to and work with this offseason.
Then there is a matter of his defense. Holliday is more than capable of playing shortstop for as long as he can; however, his inexperience did show itself at times on the diamond. He was able to show off his arm and glove work plenty for the Grizzlies, but four errors in 62 chances over 17 games is always going to be something that will need to get cleaned up. It’s still unclear how long shortstop will be his defensive home, as he has been projected as someone who is better suited for a corner position. Still, defense is crucial, and what I’ve already seen shows an indication that he can become an above-average defender on the infield.
Lastly, as I’ve read and watched interviews with Holliday, I’ve come to see how mature he is for an 18-year-old. The pressures of being a highly-touted prospect have not gone to his head, and he remains a studious and humble player. Much of that can be traced back to his parents, especially his mother, whom he consistently praises. He’s got a good head on his shoulders, and that will aid him greatly as he develops and endures the highs and lows of being a professional ball player.
There is a lot to be excited about with Ethan Holliday. The Rockies are hopeful and for good reason. He will head to the instructional league down in Arizona for the next couple of weeks, where he can continue to work on the things we saw in Fresno and get prepared for the full season journey in 2026.
Like many of you, I will continue to watch his career with great interest, dreaming of the day we can see him swatting dingers at Coors Field like his old man.
On the Farm
Triple-A: Reno Aces 8, Albuquerque Isotopes 7
Things quickly got out of hand for Albuquerque in the top of the first inning. Xzavion Curry started on the hill for the Isotopes and recorded just one out as he allowed six runs on four hits with three walks. The bullpen kept things in check as Victor Juarez, making his Triple-A debut, was the only one to allow runs. He gave up two runs on five hits over two innings of work. However, the Isotopes went to work on the comeback that fell just short. Sam Hilliard led the effort with a double and a triple, driving in three runs. Sterlin Thompson hit his 18th home run of the season as well. Unfortunately, despite their 11 hits, the Isotopes ran out of outs, suffering the loss.
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