Scouting grades: Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 45 | Cutter: 50 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 45 | Overall: 40
If it seems like Holmes has been a prospect forever, you're not wrong. Part of an aggressive Draft in 2011 that started with Gerrit Cole No. 1 overall and included way over-slot signings of Josh Bell and Tyler Glasnow, Holmes got $1.2 million in the ninth round. He missed all of 2014 and most of '15 following Tommy John surgery, finally making it to Pittsburgh for the first time in '18, though he struggled to find consistency there.
There was some Jekyll and Hyde to Holmes in the big leagues in 2018, at times dominating and at times looking like an A ball pitcher. The stuff that allowed him to get to this level is still very much there. Hitters have never squared up his heavy, hard-sinking fastball that he could crank up to 96-97 mph in shorter relief stints, leading to a career 2.29 groundout-to-airout ratio in the Minors. None of his secondary pitches profile as true out pitches, but he does have solid changeup and a cutter with slider action, and can fold in an average curve at times.
More than anything, Holmes needs to maintain an attack mentality in whatever role he has. If he falls behind, he gets in trouble and it often snowballs on him. He can get out of sync and then struggles to get back into a rhythm or make adjustments. He still might best be suited for the bullpen, but could get the chance to start if there's an organizational need. Statcast - Pitching Season Pitches Batted Balls Barrels Barrel % Exit Velocity Launch Angle XBA XSLG WOBA XWOBA XWOBACON Hard Hit % K % BB % 2018 499 83 4 4.8 89.0 3.4 .270 .361 .368 .356 .350 38.6 16.3 17.8 2019 915 138 7 5.1 87.9 0.0 .233 .367 .332 .332 .351 39.6 23.3 15.0 ALL 1414 221 11 5.0 88.3 1.2 .246 .365 .344 .341 .350 39.2 20.9 16.0 MLB 40553 6.3 87.5 11.2 .251 .412 .317 .318 .371 34.5 21.7 8.3 Rankings Hit By Pitch Year HBP Rank 2019 9 9th in NL Transactions Team Date Transaction 09/01/2019 Pittsburgh Pirates activated RHP Clay Holmes from the 10-day injured list. 08/21/2019 Pittsburgh Pirates placed RHP Clay Holmes on the 10-day injured list. Left quadriceps discomfort. 08/11/2019 Pittsburgh Pirates activated RHP Clay Holmes from the 10-day injured list. 08/05/2019 Pittsburgh Pirates sent RHP Clay Holmes on a rehab assignment to Altoona Curve. 07/24/2019 Pittsburgh Pirates placed RHP Clay Holmes on the 10-day injured list. Right triceps inflammation. 05/17/2019 Pittsburgh Pirates recalled RHP Clay Holmes from Indianapolis Indians. 05/15/2019 Pittsburgh Pirates optioned RHP Clay Holmes to Indianapolis Indians. 05/09/2019 Pittsburgh Pirates recalled Clay Holmes from Indianapolis Indians. 03/21/2019 Pittsburgh Pirates optioned RHP Clay Holmes to Indianapolis Indians. 09/04/2018 Pittsburgh Pirates recalled RHP Clay Holmes from Indianapolis Indians. 08/25/2018 Pittsburgh Pirates optioned RHP Clay Holmes to Indianapolis Indians. 08/21/2018 Pittsburgh Pirates recalled Clay Holmes from Indianapolis Indians. 08/11/2018 Pittsburgh Pirates optioned RHP Clay Holmes to Indianapolis Indians. 08/10/2018 Pittsburgh Pirates recalled Clay Holmes from Indianapolis Indians. 07/15/2018 Pittsburgh Pirates optioned RHP Clay Holmes to Indianapolis Indians. 07/14/2018 Pittsburgh Pirates recalled Clay Holmes from Indianapolis Indians. 07/10/2018 RHP Clay Holmes assigned to Indianapolis Indians from Bradenton Marauders. 07/06/2018 Pittsburgh Pirates optioned RHP Clay Holmes to Bradenton Marauders. 06/24/2018 Pittsburgh Pirates recalled Clay Holmes from Indianapolis Indians. 04/13/2018 Pittsburgh Pirates optioned RHP Clay Holmes to Indianapolis Indians. 04/02/2018 Pittsburgh Pirates recalled RHP Clay Holmes from Indianapolis Indians. 04/02/2018 Pittsburgh Pirates optioned RHP Clay Holmes to Indianapolis Indians. 04/01/2018 Pittsburgh Pirates recalled Clay Holmes from Indianapolis Indians. 03/12/2018 Pittsburgh Pirates optioned RHP Clay Holmes to Indianapolis Indians. 10/02/2017 Pittsburgh Pirates recalled Clay Holmes from Indianapolis Indians. 03/13/2017 Pittsburgh Pirates optioned RHP Clay Holmes to Indianapolis Indians. 11/18/2016 Pittsburgh Pirates selected the contract of Clay Holmes from Altoona Curve. 04/04/2016 RHP Clay Holmes assigned to Altoona Curve from Bradenton Marauders. 09/28/2015 Bradenton Marauders activated RHP Clay Holmes from the 7-day disabled list. 08/26/2015 Bradenton Marauders placed RHP Clay Holmes on the 7-day disabled list. 07/07/2015 Bradenton Marauders activated RHP Clay Holmes from the 7-day disabled list. 06/23/2015 Bradenton Marauders sent RHP Clay Holmes on a rehab assignment to GCL Pirates. 04/09/2015 Bradenton Marauders placed RHP Clay Holmes on the 7-day disabled list. 04/09/2015 Bradenton Marauders placed RHP Clay Holmes on the 7-day disabled list. 09/09/2014 Bradenton Marauders activated RHP Clay Holmes from the 60-day disabled list. 04/01/2014 RHP Clay Holmes assigned to Bradenton Marauders from GCL Pirates. 09/04/2013 RHP Clay Holmes assigned to GCL Pirates from West Virginia Power. 04/02/2013 Clay Holmes assigned to West Virginia Power from GCL Pirates. 09/01/2012 Clay Holmes assigned to GCL Pirates from State College Spikes. 06/16/2012 Clay Holmes assigned to State College Spikes from GCL Pirates. 08/18/2011 Clay Holmes assigned to GCL Pirates from Pittsburgh Pirates. 08/15/2011 Pittsburgh Pirates signed RHP Clay Holmes.
