The Athletics announced a quartet of roster moves, including the news that right-hander Grant Holman’s contract has been selected from Triple-A Las Vegas. Star slugger Brent Rooker is also back from the paternity list, and right-hander Will Klein and infielder Armando Alvarez were both optioned to Triple-A to create the two needed opening on the 26-man roster.
Holman will be making his Major League debut whenever he makes his first official appearance for the A’s. A sixth-round pick in the 2021 draft, Holman has worked exclusively as a reliever since he was promoted to Double-A in 2023, and his results this season have been spectacular. The righty has a tiny 0.55 ERA over 48 2/3 combined innings at Double-A (19 1/3 IP) and Triple-A (29 1/3 IP), along with a strong 29% strikeout rate and a more modest 11.83% walk rate. It should be noted that Holman has received a lot of batted-ball luck in the form of a .174 BABIP against Triple-A competition, but allowing just one homers in 29 1/3 frames of Pacific Coast League action is quite impressive.
MLB Pipeline rates Holman as the 21st-best prospect in Oakland’s farm system, and he received a 60-grade on his 95mph fastball. Beyond that top offering, Holman also has a decent slider and a rather lightly-used splitter. It makes for a pretty solid arsenal for a reliever, and Pipeline’s scouting report observes that “much of Holman’s step forward this season has come simply as a result of being healthy and getting regular reps,” following two seasons of elbow and shoulder problems.
There’s plenty of intrigue in Holman’s arsenal, and the 24-year-old should get opportunities for an Athletics team that continues to evaluate young talent as part of its rebuild. Mason Miller has deservedly drawn most of the headlines, but Oakland’s bullpen has been pretty decent as a whole this season, and Holman will become the latest rookie arm to try and earn higher-leverage work.
Mlb pipeline ranked Klein as having the best fastball and slider in farm system, and 3rd best change-up among pitchers. That’s 3 above avg pitches for reliever but seems like control is a major weakness. But if they can somehow fix that. Potential setup guy maybe even closer could alow miller to pitch back in rotation
They hope to have Klein ready for a high leverage role within a year. Hope it happens.
It will definitely happen. A’s coaches just need to work on Klein’s control – they are doing that with Boyle too – and voila he will be a tremendous reliever…
I’d prefer giving Boyle a longer leash and seeing if he can fill a Starting rotation spot.
I might be in the minority here, but I would prefer to keep Miller as the closer; a guy who can lockdown not just 1 but 2 innings and get the save. That’s actually huge and very important. Also, being a reliever is a better chance of staying healthy.
Grant Holman played in the little league World Series, I think he was like 6’2” at age 12 throwing no hitters. I’ve followed his career since then, he went to Cal and was a 6th round pick. Gave up starting to become a left handed reliever. Think he has a long career ahead of him.
Calm down buddy