Scouting Report

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

Holman could have been a legitimate high school draftee in 2021, but didn’t go until the very end of the Draft because he was determined to go to Alabama. After relieving as a freshman, he had a successful turn in the Crimson Tide’s rotation in 2023 then was the U.S. collegiate national team’s top performer that summer, before transferring to Louisiana State. Another strong campaign at his new school helped him move up Draft boards and land in Competitive Balance Round B. The Reds shut him down, as they often do with their college arms, rather than send him out for a pro debut last summer. His debut was delayed even further when he missed all of 2025 following reconstructive elbow surgery.

While Holman may never light up the radar gun, the 6-foot-4 right-hander has a good feel for using his four-pitch mix to get outs. His fastball sat 92 mph last year with LSU, topping out at 95, but excellent command, ride at the top of the zone and induced vertical break make it better than its pure velocity. He throws his low-80s slider with two-plane depth for strikes, eliciting a 48-percent miss rate according to Synergy in 2024. His upper-70s curve and mid-80s changeup aren’t as advanced in terms of his ability to land them for strikes or throw them frequently.

With his long and lean frame, it’s possible that Holman’s stuff could tick up under pro instruction once he returns to health. Because of his fastball-slider and his command of them, Holman has every chance to stick in the back end of a big league rotation. If more velocity or better feel for his other secondary offerings come, he could be more than that.

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

Part of a deep crop of eastern Pennsylvania high schoolers in 2021, Holman was a top-five-rounds talent who lasted until the Blue Jays took him in the 20th round because of his commitment to Alabama. After spending two seasons with the Crimson Tide, he transferred to Louisiana State, and after being the best mound performer on the U.S. collegiate national team last summer, he threw well enough to land in Competitive Balance Round B, signing for a below-slot bonus of right around $1 million.

Holman's fastball dipped a bit in 2024, sitting at 92 mph and topping out at 94, but it plays better than its velocity because he commands it well and rides it at the top of the zone with quality induced vertical break. His best pitch is a low-80s slider that he also locates well and that features two-plane depth. He also has an upper-70s breaking ball with similar shape and curveball velocity but doesn't have the same feel for it, or a sparsely-used mid-80s changeup with some fade and sink.

Holman has a high floor as at least a No. 4 starter because he throws consistent strikes with his two main offerings. He already shows aptitude for sequencing his pitches and mixing locations. He has a lean 6-foot-4 frame and more projection remaining than a typical college junior, so his stuff could get better.

Video scouting report »

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

Part of a deep crop of eastern Pennsylvania high schoolers in 2021, Holman was a top-five-rounds talent who lasted until the Blue Jays took him in the 20th round because of his commitment to Alabama. After spending two seasons with the Crimson Tide, he transferred to Louisiana State and should factor in the first two rounds of the 2024 Draft. He was the best pitcher on the U.S. collegiate national team last summer, striking out 15 in eight scoreless innings. 

Holman's fastball has dipped a bit in 2024, sitting at 92 mph and topping out at 94, but it plays better than its velocity because he commands it well and rides it at the top of the zone with quality induced vertical break. His best pitch is a low-80s slider that he also locates well and features two-plane depth. He also has an upper-70s breaking ball with similar shape and curveball velocity but doesn't have the same feel for it or a sparsely-used mid-80s changeup with some fade and sink.

Holman has a high floor as at least a No. 4 starter because he throws consistent strikes with his two main offerings. He already shows aptitude for sequencing his pitches and mixing locations. He has a lean 6-foot-4 frame and more projection remaining than a typical college junior, so his stuff could get better.

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	11/06/2025	Daytona Tortugas activated RHP Luke Holman from the full-season injured list.
	05/20/2025	Daytona Tortugas placed RHP Luke Holman on the full-season injured list.
	05/20/2025	Daytona Tortugas placed RHP Luke Holman on the full-season injured list.
	04/17/2025	Daytona Tortugas placed RHP Luke Holman on the 7-day injured list.
	04/01/2025	RHP Luke Holman assigned to Daytona Tortugas from ACL Reds.
	08/05/2024	RHP Luke Holman assigned to ACL Reds.
	07/23/2024	Cincinnati Reds signed RHP Luke Holman.
	07/23/2024	Cincinnati Reds signed RHP Luke Holman.
	06/16/2024	College Workout activated RHP Luke Holman.
	02/10/2024	RHP Luke Holman assigned to Louisiana State Tigers.
	06/29/2023	College Workout activated RHP Luke Holman.
	06/26/2023	RHP Luke Holman assigned to USAB Stars Team.
	07/05/2021	RHP Luke Holman and assigned to College Workout.
	06/18/2020	RHP Luke Holman assigned to PG National 9 - Purple.
	06/18/2020	RHP Luke Holman assigned to PG National 9 - Purple.