Jonathan Holder

Summary

Jonathan Blake Holder (born June 9, 1993) is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the New York Yankees.

Jonathan Holder
Holder with the New York Yankees
Free agent
Pitcher
Born: (1993-06-09) June 9, 1993 (age 30)
Gulfport, Mississippi, U.S.
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
MLB debut
September 2, 2016, for the New York Yankees
MLB statistics
(through 2020 season)
Win–loss record10–6
Earned run average4.38
Strikeouts165
Teams

Career edit

Amateur edit

Holder attended Gulfport High School in Gulfport, Mississippi, where he was an accomplished hitter and pitcher. He attended Mississippi State University, where he played college baseball for the Mississippi State Bulldogs from 2012 to 2014 and served as the team's closer.[1][2] During his career he had an 11–2 record, 1.59 earned run average (ERA), 191 strikeouts and a school record 37 saves.[3] In 2012, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Wareham Gatemen of the Cape Cod Baseball League.[4]

New York Yankees edit

The New York Yankees selected Holder in the sixth round of the 2014 Major League Baseball draft.[5][6] After pitching in relief in college, the Yankees converted him into a starting pitcher.[7] He made his professional debut in 2014 with the Gulf Coast Yankees of the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League and later played for the Staten Island Yankees of the Low–A New York-Penn League. He started 2015 with the Tampa Yankees of the High–A Florida State League. He posted a 7–6 record with a 2.52 ERA and was a Mid-Season All-Star.[8]

In 2016, he was moved back to the bullpen, where he said his velocity improved.[7] He began the season with Tampa but was soon promoted to the Trenton Thunder of the Double–A Eastern League. On April 26, 2016, Holder pitched the final inning of a joint no hitter that was started by Ronald Herrera.[9] He was an Eastern League Mid-Season All-Star.[8] The Yankees then promoted Holder to the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders of the Triple–A International League. He struck out 12 batters over four innings on August 28, which earned him Pitcher of the Week honors.[10] He was also named the best relief pitcher and was an organization All-Star, according to MiLB.com.[8][11]

The Yankees promoted Holder to the major leagues on September 2, 2016.[12] His first major league strikeout came against Baltimore Orioles center fielder Adam Jones, striking him out on 3 pitches.[13] In 8 appearances with the Yankees to finish 2016, Holder had a 5.40 ERA. On May 5, 2017, Holder got his first major league win pitching a scoreless inning of relief against the Chicago Cubs. In 37 appearances out of the bullpen, Holder finished the 2017 year 1–1 with a 3.89 ERA.

In 2018, Holder made the big league team out of spring training.[14] On August 2, 2018, Holder allowed seven runs without recording an out in a game against the Boston Red Sox. Holder became the second Yankees pitcher to ever post such a line after Bob Kammeyer did so on September 18, 1979.[15] Holder finished the year with a solid 3.14 ERA in 66 innings pitched.

He faltered in 2019, allowing five runs, including a solo homer and a grand slam, without getting an out against the Blue Jays on June 24.[16] After allowing 13 runs and six home runs over his past six outings, he was demoted to Triple-A.[17] The team hoped he could improve his fastball command and the sharpness of his breaking pitches while in the minors.[18] He returned to the majors on July 22, but went down with shoulder inflammation in August.[19][20] He pitched to a 4.98 ERA in 21.2 innings during the 2020 season.[21] On December 2, 2020, Holder was non-tendered by the Yankees.[22]

Chicago Cubs edit

On December 17, 2020, Holder signed a one-year, $750,000 contract with the Chicago Cubs.[23] He was placed on the injured list on April 1 because of a right shoulder strain.[24] On April 26, 2021, Holder was moved to the 60-day injured list.[25] He did not appear in a game for Chicago due to the injury and was outrighted off of the 40-man roster on November 3, 2021.[26] He elected free agency the following day, but re-signed with the team on a minor league contract on November 19.[27]

Holder went into 2022 as a non-roster invitee.[28] He was reassigned to the minors on April 4.[29] After starting the year on the injured list, Holder was again transferred to the 60-day injured list in May. Following a rehab assignment with the rookie–level Arizona Complex League Cubs, he was finally activated on August 4.[8] He then spent the remainder of the season with the Triple–A Iowa Cubs, making 14 appearances and struggling to a 10.00 ERA with 19 strikeouts in 18.0 innings pitched. He elected free agency following the season on November 10, 2022.[30]

Los Angeles Angels edit

On November 29, 2022, Holder signed a minor league deal with the Los Angeles Angels.[31] He competed in spring training but was reassigned to minor league camp on March 22, 2023.[32] In 46 appearances for the Triple–A Salt Lake Bees, Holder recorded a 5.40 ERA with 76 strikeouts and 2 saves across 66+23 innings of work. He elected free agency following the season on November 6.[33]

Texas Rangers edit

On January 10, 2024, Holder signed a minor league contract with the Texas Rangers.[34] He was released by the Rangers organization on March 27.[35]

References edit

  1. ^ "Holder brings drama, history to closer's role". The Commercial Dispatch. June 21, 2013. Retrieved May 24, 2015.
  2. ^ "Holder makes right decision to focus on pitching". The Commercial Dispatch. May 6, 2012. Retrieved May 24, 2015.
  3. ^ "Holder breaks MSU career saves mark". starkvilledailynews.com. Archived from the original on May 24, 2015. Retrieved May 24, 2015.
  4. ^ "#35 Jonathan Holder - Profile". pointstreak.com. Retrieved September 25, 2019.
  5. ^ Michael Bonner, The Clarion-Ledger (June 14, 2014). "MSU's Holder signs with Yankees, Lindgren expected next". The Clarion Ledger. Retrieved May 24, 2015.
  6. ^ Bonner, Michael. "Yankees select Holder, second Bulldog in as many days". The Clarion-Ledger. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
  7. ^ a b NJ.com, Randy Miller | NJ Advance Media for (March 29, 2017). "Getting to know Yankees rookie reliever Jonathan Holder". nj. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
  8. ^ a b c d "Jonathan Holder Stats, Fantasy & News". MiLB.com. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
  9. ^ "Ronald Herrera, Jonathan Holder combine for no-hitter". April 27, 2016. Retrieved August 30, 2016.
  10. ^ "RailRiders' Holder strikes out 11 in a row". MiLB.com. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
  11. ^ "Fearless Holder grabs MiLBY as top reliever | MiLB.com". December 6, 2022. Archived from the original on December 6, 2022. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
  12. ^ "Source confirms: Jonathan Holder getting September call-up". lohud.com. Retrieved June 18, 2018.
  13. ^ "Fearless Holder grabs MiLBY as top reliever | MiLB.com". December 6, 2022. Archived from the original on December 6, 2022. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
  14. ^ Caldera, Pete. "Yankees roster for opening day appears settled as Jonathan Holder earns final spot". North Jersey Media Group. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
  15. ^ "Jonathan Holder's horror show was historically hideous". New York Post. August 3, 2018. Retrieved July 3, 2019.
  16. ^ NJ.com, James Kratch | NJ Advance Media for (June 25, 2019). "Yankees' offensive fireworks enough to survive bullpen meltdown in win over Blue Jays". nj. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
  17. ^ Martin, Dan (June 25, 2019). "Yankees send down spiraling Jonathan Holder in familiar plea". New York Post. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
  18. ^ Farrell, Sean. "Yankees hope Jonathan Holder can rediscover his form after demotion". North Jersey Media Group. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
  19. ^ Sears, Ethan (July 22, 2019). "Yankees send down Stephen Tarpley, recall Jonathan Holder". New York Post. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
  20. ^ NJ.com, Randy Miller | NJ Advance Media for (August 10, 2019). "Yankees' Gary Sanchez off injured list, Jonathan Holder on | What it means". nj. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
  21. ^ "2020 New York Yankees Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
  22. ^ "Sánchez among Yanks tendered contracts". MLB.com. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
  23. ^ "Cubs, RHP Jonathan Holder agree to 2021 contract". MLB.com.
  24. ^ "Cubs' Jonathan Holder: Placed on injured list". CBSSports.com. April 1, 2021. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
  25. ^ "Cubs Place Austin Romine on 10-Day IL, Select Tony Wolters".
  26. ^ "Cubs' Jonathan Holder: Sent to minors".
  27. ^ "Cubs Sign Catcher P.J. Higgins and Righty Jonathan Holder to Minor League Deals". December 2, 2021.
  28. ^ Yellon, Al (March 13, 2022). "Cubs announce 15 non-roster invitees to Spring Training". Bleed Cubbie Blue. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
  29. ^ "Roster Notes: Twins, Marlins, Pirates, Yankees, Cubs, Phillies". MLB Trade Rumors. April 4, 2022. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
  30. ^ "2022-23 Minor League Free Agents For All 30 MLB Teams". baseballamerica.com. Retrieved July 17, 2023.
  31. ^ "Angels Sign Jonathan Holder To Minor League Deal". MLB Trade Rumors. November 29, 2022. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
  32. ^ "Angels' Jonathan Holder: Reassigned to minors camp". www.cbssports.com. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
  33. ^ "2023 MiLB Free Agents". baseballamerica.com. Retrieved January 10, 2024.
  34. ^ "Rangers' Jonathan Holder: Invited to Rangers camp". cbssports.com. Retrieved January 10, 2024.
  35. ^ https://www.milb.com/transactions/2024-03-27

External links edit

  • Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs, or Baseball Reference (Minors)
  • Jonathan Holder on Twitter
  • Jonathan Holder on Instagram
  • Mississippi State Bulldogs bio