Adopted - Brad Holt

[Guest Rockin' Doc]

Since I haven't had a Mets prodigy since the team stupidly traded away Brian Bannister to the Royals for broken down reliever Ambiorix Burgos.

My only adoptee, John Raynor, is the son of a friend. Unfortunately, John is currently in the Florida Marlins system. Brad Holt was a freshman pitcher at UNC - Wilmington during John's senior year.

In adopting young Brad Holt, I hereby lay claim to the adoption rights of all future UNC-W Seahawks that the Mets draft in the future.

[Guest AG/DC]

You may want to wait until they sign him before you sign the adoption papers. Your heart has been broken before.

[Guest Rockin' Doc]

I thought of that as I was preparing to hit the submit button, but I decided to throw caution to the wind. Besides, who wouldn't want to sign with the Mets?

[MFS62]

Rockin' Doc wrote: I thought of that as I was preparing to hit the submit button, but I decided to throw caution to the wind. Besides, who wouldn't want to sign with the Mets?

Roger Clemens and Matt Williams, to name two Mets draftees who didn't sign with them.

Later

[Guest Rockin' Doc]

Actually, it was more of a rhetorical question? Still, I can't see how anyone in their right mind would not wish to be a NY Met. I'm willingly to give Matt Williams the benefit of the doubt and allow him to plead temporary insanity. However, there is nothing temporary about Clemens insanity. Clemens continues to show that he's pretty unstable and I believe he's far from the sharpest knife in the drawer.

Of course, my fandom and the fact that I would have given virtually anything for the opportunity to wear a Mets uniform may be clouding my judgement somewhat.

[Guest Rockin' Doc]

My adoptee is signed, sealed, and soon to be delivered. He is scheduled to report to the Brooklyn Cyclones tomorrow. This is an exerpt of an article on mlb.com annopuncing his signing.

Holt finished his junior campaign at the University of North Carolina-Wilmington with an 11-1 record and a 3.18 ERA (33 earned runs / 93.1 innings) in 15 starts during the 2008 season. In 93.1 innings, he allowed 78 hits, of which only 17 went for extra-bases, while walking 36 and striking out 95. He also tossed the first one-hitter since 1992 for the Seahawks, when he struck out seven without a walk as Wilmington defeated Northeastern 11-1 on April 5th.

In his three years at UNCW he posted a 19-9 record and a 4.18 ERA (104 runs / 224.0 innings pitched) in 44 games, 38 starts. Brad scattered 215 hits while walking 96 and striking out 190.

The righthander won his final 11 decisions of the season, including a 5-2 win over nationally-ranked Elon University in the NCAA Regional opening game, before UNCW was eventually eliminated by the University of North Carolina in the regional finals. Following the season, the Albemarle, NC native was named first-team Colonial Athletic Association and also received third-team All-America honors.

The Albemarle HS (NC) graduate earned All-Watkin Valley Conference honors all four seasons and was a second team high school All-American following his senior season. Holt established a school record with 404 strikeouts over his four year career.

The 6-4, 195 pounder became the highest drafted player in the history of University of North Carolina-Wilmington when the Mets selected him with the 33rd overall selection in the 2008 MLB Draft. He also becomes the first UNC-Wilmington player selected by the Mets since Jason Roach was tabbed with the 20th pick in 1997. Roach made two starts with the Mets during the 2003 season.

[Benjamin Grimm]

How old is he?

I imagine he's 21 or 22...

[Guest Rockin' Doc]

Holt will turn 22 on October 13th. Havens is to join him in Brooklyn.

[Guest Rockin' Doc]

Holt made his first start (sporting #44) for the Brooklyn Cyclones on June 21st against the Aberdeen Ironbirds in Aberdeen. The Ironbirds were pretty tough on my guy in his debut as he only lasted 2.1 innings. He surrendered 2 earned runs on two hits and a walk. His 4 K's showed promise though.

On June 26th, Holt made his first start in Brooklyn. The opponent was once again the Ironbirds of Aberdeen. This time it was young Brad Holt that was an inhospitable host as he threw 5 no hit innings. He surrendered only one walk while sending 6 of the Ironbirds to the bench for a Krash landing.

So far Holt's fastball is proving tough to hit. He has allowed only 2 hits and 2 walks in 7.1 innings of work. His 10 K's look pretty impressive thus far. It will be fun to see how he progresses during the season.

[Guest AG/DC]

Keep up with this guy. Ten K's in seven innings as part of a 2-0 win over the State College Spikes.

[Guest AG/DC]

As if enough weren't going well for the Mets these days, kablammo!

I mean, KABLAMMO!

Holt's 14 Ks hit Lake Monsters like Cyclone

Right-handed Mets prospect hurls six shutout frames

By Danny Wild / Special to MLB.com

http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/2008/07/24/c4qVsLWc.jpg

First-round Mets pick Brad Holt is 3-0 with a 0.78 ERA in four home starts. (Mike Janes/Four Seam Images)

Brad Holt is living up to his first-round pick expectations, much to the frustration of basically everyone not in a Brooklyn uniform this summer.

Holt (3-2) struck out a career-high 14 and allowed just two hits over six innings in his seventh career start to help the Brooklyn Cyclones rout the visiting Vermont Lake Monsters on Thursday, 8-1.

"Usually I don't [try for strikeouts], but there were a couple in a row and you start to realize it," said Holt, who struck out the side in each of his final three innings.

The Mets prospect walked two and hit a batter in the most dominating start of his professional career. He lowered his ERA to 1.57, fifth-best in the New York-Penn League.

"I was realizing I was getting quite a few [strikeouts], they were chasing it up," he added. "I wasn't looking for strikeouts, I was spotting it around the knees to get ahead, but if they're going to chase it, why not?"

After seven professional outings, Holt said he continues to build confidence with each successful start.

"Everything has been going along great, I feel a lot more comfortable," said Holt, who was selected along with teammates Ike Davis and Reese Havens in the first round by the Mets in June. "As long as I keep throwing well, it makes it easier going into your next start."

The 21-year-old was the 33rd overall pick in the first-round of this year's Draft out of UNC-Wilmington and has gone at least five innings in five of his seven starts for Brooklyn (17-19).

"We were mixing my offspeed in. And early in the game, I was trying stay around the knees, working the corners," he said. "I was getting swings and misses. Later in the game, my arm got more loose. They chased a couple up high, so I just kept throwing it up there to see if they'd chase it."

He induced two flyouts and two grounders in six innings, striking out 14 of the 22 batters he faced.

Holt fanned at least two batters in five of his six innings, and K'd the side in the fourth, fifth and sixth. He said he worked off his fastball, especially once the Lake Monsters proved unable to connect.

"They were missing some," he said. "They weren't catching up with it."

The righty did deal with baserunners in four of his six frames. Derek Norris was hit by a pitch and stole second in the second, but Holt's only real trouble came in the fourth when he walked Jake Dugger and allowed a two-out single to Michael Guerrero. The North Carolina native settled down and whiffed Tyler Moore to end the threat.

Close to his pitch count after six, Holt said he felt he could have continued but understood being pulled.

"Of course, you always want to finish out the game," he said. "I knew my pitch count was getting up. It happens."

The right-hander has been unbeatable in four starts in Coney Island this summer. He is 3-0 with a 0.78 ERA in his starts on the beach. He hurled five hitless innings in his home debut June 26 against the Aberdeen IronBirds, tossed five strong innings in a no-decision against Mahoning Valley Scrappers on July 6 and most recently struck out 10 over seven scoreless frames to beat State College on July 13.

"I think the only difference is you have fans cheering, so that gives you a little more adrenaline," Holt said of pitching at Keyspan Park. "It's just a coincidence I think. I'm just as comfortable on the road as when I'm here, but the fans definitely help. It gets you pumped up."

Thursday's effort was the third scoreless outing for Holt, who has held opponents to six earned runs over 34 1/3 innings.

Chris Schwinden and Wendy Rosa followed Holt out of the bullpen and each struck out a pair, giving the Cyclones a combined 18-strikeout effort.

Brooklyn staked Holt to an early lead when Jordan Abruzzo lined an RBI single and Eric Campbell followed with a three-run homer to give the Cyclones a 4-0 lead in the first.

Jose Jimenez added a two-RBI double in the third and J. R. Voyles jacked a two-run homer in the fourth.

Patrick Arnold (0-1) made his fourth start for Vermont and allowed six runs on five hits over 2 1/3 innings to suffer the loss for first-place Vermont (18-16).

Danny Wild is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Is anybody else stoked? 'Cause I'm stoked.

[Frayed Knot]

BA's 'Hot Sheet' has been all over Holt for two weeks running now:

Why He's Here: 1-0, 11 1/3 IP, 6 H, 0 R, 4 BB, 21 SO (for the week)

The Scoop: Holt makes his second straight appearance on the Hot Sheet after a two-start week where he fanned 21 batters in 11 1/3 innings. Holt struck out 14 in six innings on Thursday, running his season strikeout total up to 51, tops in the NYP. The only worse news for league hitters is that Holt told a reporter that he has been throwing his curveball more, meaning he may have been successful in developing that second pitch.

[Benjamin Grimm]

This is stirring memories of a young Doc Gooden.

I'm trying to remember, but can't: How aware were we of Doc in 1983? We all followed Strawberry's ascent through the farm system, but Gooden got here so quickly I can't remember when we first saw him coming.

[Guest Vince Coleman Firecracker]

Doc, I think your kid starts next year as the top prospect in the organization.

[Benjamin Grimm]

Unless he makes the 2009 starting rotation.

[Guest AG/DC]

Benjamin Grimm wrote: This is stirring memories of a young Doc Gooden. I'm trying to remember, but can't: How aware were we of Doc in 1983? We all followed Strawberry's ascent through the farm system, but Gooden got here so quickly I can't remember when we first saw him coming.

I was pretty aware, although mostly not until August. It was 1983 and I was 15 and there was no internets, but The New York Times did a story on him called "Gooden's Golden Season." Three hundred strikeouts at any level is hard to miss. I read that number and, well, my puberty became difficult to contain.

That 1983 Lynchburg team was an all-time great performing minor league team, and the fact that Sam Perlozzo was able to keep them together most of the year is a testament to his ability to cloud men's minds.

[Guest Rockin' Doc]

I'm so proud, I'm about to bust.

[Guest AG/DC]

Control yourself, it's A-Ball.

Go get an interview.

[Frayed Knot]

First stumble last night: 3-1/3 IPs, 3 runs and [u:2tbbjyxw]7[/u:2tbbjyxw] walks.

[Guest Rockin' Doc]

Brad Hot is proving difficult to hit for Cyclones opponents. A .177 batting average against and 12.6 strike outs per 9 innings are testimonies to his stuff. He has to be a little more consistent in throwing strikes as his 5.0 walks per nine innings demonstrates. Overall, he is showing great promise at this early juncture in his career.

GS	W	L	. IP	Hits	Runs	ER	Ks	BB	AVG
8	3	2	37.6	23	10	9	53	21	.177

[Guest Rockin' Doc]

Well, my boy Holt hasn't slowed down a bit since he first took Brooklyn by storm. He has shown that he has big time power pitching potential. Just take a look at his K's per innings pitched and the K's to walks. He isn't giving up many hits either. He should have one final start remaining with the Cyclones before their season ends.

GS	W	L	. IP	Hits	Runs	ER	Ks	BB	AVG
14	5	3	72.3	43	18	15	96	33	.171

[Benjamin Grimm]

Mets' top prospect Brad Holt ready to audition in exhibition games BY Adam Rubin DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER Monday, March 2nd 2009, 9:55 PM PORT ST. LUCIE - The most famous person born in Albemarle, N.C., (pop. 15,680) is country music artist Kellie Pickler. The Mets prospect born 15 weeks later, who grew up five minutes from Pickler's home, may soon rival the former "American Idol" contestant for that distinction. Tony Bernazard, the Mets' VP for player development, labels 22-year-old righthander Brad Holt the best starting pitching prospect in the organization. The Mets used the 33rd pick in last June's draft, a compensatory sandwich pick between the first and second rounds for losing free agent Tom Glavine to the Braves, to select the 6-4, 194-pound Holt out of UNC-Wilmington. After signing for $1.04 million, Holt dominated with the Brooklyn Cyclones. He led the New York-Penn League in ERA (1.87), strikeouts (96), strikeouts per nine innings (11.9) and opponent's batting average (.171). Mets officials say he's ahead of Mike Pelfrey, the ninth overall pick in 2005, at the same stage. "He's got Pelfrey's talent," Bernazard said. "... He's the top pitching prospect. As a starter, he's the best." Holt isn't in camp, but he should now begin making limited Grapefruit League appearances on loan from the minor-league side as the Mets reopen after an off-day. The Mets sent 15 players, including pitchers Oliver Perez, Francisco Rodriguez, J.J. Putz, Pedro Feliciano, Nelson Figueroa and Elmer Dessens, to the World Baseball Classic. Holt should open the season in the Florida State League, but could rise to Double-A Binghamton by the All-Star break and the majors by September. Mets scout Marlin McPhail, who has unearthed such middle-round gems as Bobby Parnell out of Charleston Southern (ninth round, 2005) and Ty Wigginton out of UNC-Asheville (17th round, 1998), was on to Holt early, before he took off as a junior and other teams became fully aware. Holt lost his first game of his junior season against Jacksonville, then won a school-record 11 straight decisions to close his college career, including a one-hitter at Northeastern in 33-degree weather, when his fastball was popping at 95-97 mph. Holt could dominate hitters with that fastball, which meant he arrived in Brooklyn with a raw slider and changeup he had hardly used. Holt's concentration during bullpen sessions centered on improving those offspeed pitches. "As everybody has talked about, I didn't really have a breaking ball going into it - or much off-speed period," Holt said. As for the connection to Pickler, Holt actually attended a different high school from the musician, but his cousin Summer remains in touch with the country-music star. And Cy Young, not CMA awards, eventually will be Holt's focus. "Baseball, fishing, golf is pretty much it for me," Holt said. "Anything outdoors."

I fear that Holt is most likely to be trade fodder some time this summer. I hope he sticks around and gets a rotation spot. Whoever gets the fifth spot this year will probably still be vulnerable to a challenge next spring.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

I was taken aback by the level of praise in this article.

I mean, I know the guy's a good looking prospect but wow. And how is it we so seldomly hear that the Mets have employed a guy named Marlin McPhail?

I also imagine Rubin had an idea to interview the guy and found out all he wanted to talk about was fishing.

[Edgy MD]

Marlin is a former Met prospect. He actually does take pride in finding middle round talent and works to keep his prospects secret from other scouts. Eric Brown, who has scuffled in AA after whipping it in A ball, is another of his proteges.

I checked the UMDB to see if there were any memories of him, and was shocked to find I had left one.

[Frayed Knot]

Yeah, the better-than-Pelfrey comments are a bit over the top.
There's generally a reason why one guy goes #9 overall while the other goes 33rd after being passed over twice by the team that does pick him. Plus to say he's ahead of Pelfrey doesn't mean much seeing as how Pelfrey didn't sign until that first season had passed.

That doesn't mean he can't or won't pass him at some point, but it's comments like those which lead fans to think they're being over-promised with some prospects.

[Benjamin Grimm]

Or maybe they're puffing him up for his July 31 trade value.

I read some speculation recently that the Mets may pull a summertime deal for Matt Holliday if the A's fall out of contention.

[Edgy MD]

Frayed Knot is out of Kool-Aid.

[Frayed Knot]

Benjamin Grimm wrote: Or maybe they're puffing him up for his July 31 trade value.

Well, it's not like other clubs are going to be fooled or goaded in trading for a guy based on press releases and gaudy quotes. And, either way, they'd be better off shutting up about him before fans either get disappointed that:
a) he doesn't win 8 Cy Youngs during his career
or
doesn't bring back Matt Holliday PLUS several throw-ins

I actually thought the Mets had done a decent job at not over-promising on prospects since getting burned by their Gen-K experiences. Bernazard, however, seems to like to talk.

[Guest Rockin' Doc]

Brad Holt's first start of the season was pretty rough as he gave up 9 earned runs while lasting only 3.2 innings. He has pitched much better in his subsequent starts. He has allowed only 4 earned runs in his last 25.2 innings.

GS	W	L	. IP	Hits	Runs	ER	Ks	BB	AVG
6	2	1	29.1	26	14	13	34	8	.239

Damn, I wish I knew how to make those fancy tables.

[Frayed Knot]

Baseball America as part of their review of the 2008 draft:

Brad Holt, rhp, Mets, supplemental first round (33rd overall)

Holt�s fastball was too much for short-season New York-Penn League hitters to handle last year. It�s looking like the Florida State League can�t catch up to Holt, either. The high Class A St. Lucie right-hander has a 3.57 ERA in 35 1/3 innings, with 44 strikeouts (11.2 K/9) and nine walks (2.3 BB/9). At this rate, it wouldn�t be a surprise to see Holt, a 22-year-old from UNC Wilmington, in Double-A by the end of the year.