Carter Holton
P | Bats/Throws: L/L | 5' 11" 191LBS | Age: 22
Draft: 2024 | Rd: 2, #62, Atlanta Braves | Vanderbilt
MLB Pipeline Rank
W L ERA G GS SV IP SO WHIP
2024 0 0 13.50 1 1 0 2 3 2.50
Career Minors 0 0 13.50 1 1 0 2 3 2.50
G W-L ERA IP SO WHIP
2024 1 0-0 13.50 2 3 2.50
Career Minors 1 0-0 13.50 2 3 2.50

Standard Minor League Pitching Statistics

SeasonTmLGLWLERAGGSSVIPHRERHRBBSOWHIP
2024 Augusta GreenJackets CAR A 0 0 13.50 1 1 0 2.0 1 3 3 0 4 3 2.50

Scouting Report

Draft

Video scouting report »

Scouting grades: Fastball: 55 | Curveball: 50 | Slider: 60 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 50 | Overall: 50 

As a Georgia high schooler, Holton was a top-three-rounds talent but slid to the Brewers in the 19th round of the 2021 Draft because he was committed to Vanderbilt. He immediately thrived as a member of the Commodores' weekend rotation, though he was shut down last May with an arm injury that hasn't been fully clarified. He pitched well early in 2024 but faded down the stretch, saw his velocity drop sharply in an abbreviated final regular-season start and missed the Southeastern Conference tournament.

Holton's fastball operates at 93-95 mph and tops out at 98 with some arm-side run. He misses more bats with a low-80s slider that features horizontal and vertical action and shuts down left-handers. His upper-70s curveball was a solid offering in the past before regressing in 2023, and he also owns a sinking mid-80s changeup. 

Though scouts believe in Holton's stuff and competitive makeup, there are questions about his viability as a long-term starter. He's undersized at 5-foot-11 and missed time last spring, and he uses unorthodox tilt and a high arm slot in his delivery to create leverage. His mechanics can hamper his control and command, though he's throwing more strikes than ever in 2024.


2024

Scouting grades: Fastball: 55 | Curveball: 50 | Slider: 60 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 50 | Overall: 45 

As a Georgia high schooler, Holton was a top-three-rounds talent but slid to the Brewers in the 19th round of the 2021 Draft because he was committed to Vanderbilt. He immediately thrived as a member of the Commodores' weekend rotation, though he was shut down last May with an arm injury that hasn't been fully clarified. He pitched well early in 2024 but faded down the stretch, saw his velocity drop sharply in an abbreviated final regular-season start and missed the Southeastern Conference tournament. But the Braves felt the healthy version of Holton was enough to gamble on, taking him in Round 2 and signing him for $1.35 million, just below slot.

Holton's fastball operates at 93-95 mph and tops out at 98 with some armside run. He misses more bats with a low-80s slider that features horizontal and vertical action and shuts down left-handers. His upper-70s curveball was a solid offering in the past before regressing in 2023, and he also owns a sinking mid-80s changeup. 

Though scouts believe in Holton's stuff and competitive makeup, there are questions about his viability as a long-term starter. He's undersized at 5-foot-11 and missed time last spring, and he uses unorthodox tilt and a high arm slot in his delivery to create leverage. His mechanics can hamper his control and command, though he threw more strikes than ever in 2024.


2021

Video scouting report »

Scouting grades: Fastball: 55 | Curveball: 55 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 50 | Overall: 45 

Benedictine Military School (Savannah, Ga.) has produced a pair of big leaguers in Hawk Harrelson and Mike Fitzgerald, but the Cadets have never had a pitching prospect of Holton's caliber. He has repeatedly dominated on the showcase circuit and can flash four plus pitches, though he comes with relief risk because of his size. He's the best pitcher in Vanderbilt's recruiting class, but may be more signable than a typical Commodores recruit and could land in the top three rounds. 

Holton ran his four-seam fastball up to 96 mph last summer at the Perfect Game All-American Classic and usually favors a two-seamer that sits in the low 90s with sink. He has two distinct breaking balls, with scouts slightly preferring his upper-70s slider to his mid-70s curveball, and both pitches have been more consistent this spring. He also has a low-80s changeup with some sink and keeps hitters off balance by mixing his pitches. 

Holton is doing a better job of staying more under control and pitching with less effort than he did last summer. He has some crossfire in his delivery that adds deception, especially against left-handers. He has a quick arm and throws all of his pitches for strikes, so the only real concern about him remaining a starter is his 5-foot-11, 195-pound frame.


Transactions

Team Date Transaction
08/28/2024 LHP Carter Holton assigned to Augusta GreenJackets from FCL Braves.
08/05/2024 LHP Carter Holton assigned to FCL Braves.
07/23/2024 Atlanta Braves signed LHP Carter Holton.
06/16/2024 College Workout activated LHP Carter Holton.
02/25/2024 LHP Carter Holton assigned to Vanderbilt Commodores.
06/29/2023 College Workout activated LHP Carter Holton.
06/26/2023 LHP Carter Holton assigned to USAB Stars Team.
06/26/2023 LHP Carter Holton roster status changed by USAB Stars Team.
02/08/2023 LHP Carter Holton assigned to Vanderbilt Commodores.
07/02/2022 LHP Carter Holton assigned to USAB Stripes Team.
07/02/2022 USAB Stripes Team activated LHP Carter Holton.
07/01/2022 LHP Carter Holton and assigned to College Workout.
07/05/2021 LHP Carter Holton and assigned to College Workout.
06/15/2020 LHP Carter Holton assigned to PG National 3 - Gold.
06/15/2020 LHP Carter Holton assigned to PG National 3 - Gold.
09/27/2019 LHP Carter Holton assigned to Georgia.