Colin Holderman – Video

DOB/Age: 10/8/95, 20 years old

Pick: Round 9, Pick 280 Overall

Signed $400,000

Slot Value: $163, 700

School: Heartland Community College

Bat/Throws: R/R Height: 6”5” Weight: 220

Twitter: @ColinHolderman

The Mets have signed the 9th round draft pick from Heartland Community College, Colin Holderman, for $400,000. The deal is a full $236,300 over slot value ($163,700) for the 280th draft pick. As a JUCO sophomore he was committed to transferring to Mississippi State, so it took a little extra to ink him. The organization will have to be creative in signing some of the other draft picks to make up the difference.

Coming out of Bradley-Bourbonnais’ HS in 2014, the (at the time lanky) RH was ranked #20 in the state of Illinois as much for his third base profile as his mound presence. He was named the Daily Journal HS Baseball Player of the Year in 2014. He was also a recruited QB, that was compared to NFL QB Colin Kaepernick, who had been drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 43rd round of 2009 draft. Foregoing the gridiron and opting to commit to baseball locally instead and two years, 40 pounds, and an additional 5 MPH on his fastball later, he found himself being the Mets ninth round draft pick.

Holderman, who was not ranked among the Baseball America’s top 500, but the publication had this to say in a scouting report from the State Draft Report for Illinois.

“Colin Holderman, rhp, Heartland (Ill.) CC – A 6-foot-5 righthander who has signed with Mississippi State, Holderman has a promising three-pitch mix led by a low-90s fastball with run and sink. He struck out 88 in 67 innings and also was Heartland’s leading hitter–he hit .509 with 13 home runs.”

As a first team DII All American,and the MWAC player of the year; he actually finished the year at 8-1 with a 1.57 ERA striking out 92 in 74.1 innings (11.17k/9). Allowing 48 hits, (two of which were HR) and issuing 23 walks for an impressive 0.958 WHIP, holding batters to a .180 batting average against. The only blemish I could find, was he did have seven wild pitches in his 12 starts

At 6’5”, 220 he has the build of a workhorse on the mound. (Body build has been compared to Adam Wainwright). The towering RH JUCO pitcher throws from a high ¾ arm slot , creating angles that hide the ball from batters coming from his tall frame. He sits consistently in the 90-95 range with a changeup that grades as average. He will run the two seamer in on RH batters, and his low 80’s slider has flashed plus, (an advantageous situation in the Mets system.)

Even with the additional body weight, he maintains the athleticism to play third base, and hit 32 extra base hits, driving in 58 . So he won’t embarrass himself in the NL.

Off the field Holderman has been charitable with his time, volunteering with various local charities and active in the Best-Buddies International program which pairs up local youths with handicapped individuals. His HS coach Kevin Arthur said “He’s a really coachable kid. He’s a great player, but he’s willing to learn and work hard to get better.” Adding “Individual-wise, overall, he’s probably the best player I’ve had.”

Having reached 74.1 innings, upon signing, I would expect a Kingsport or Brooklyn assignment for 2016 season with the potential to head to Columbia out of next spring training. With his athleticism and coach-ability, I have high hopes for the future of Holderman. Let’s not forget an athletic former 9th round draft pick who played the field and hits pretty well Jacob deGrom.