Grant Holmes

Harrison Grant Holmes (born March 22, 1996) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Atlanta Braves of Major League Baseball (MLB). The right-handed hurler was selected by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the first round of the 2014 MLB draft with the 22nd overall pick. After developing through the minor leagues with the Dodgers and Oakland Athletics organizations, Holmes made his long-awaited MLB debut with the Braves in June 2024. Throughout his professional career, Holmes has showcased his ability to miss bats, recording more than 260 strikeouts across his major league appearances through June 2026. Holmes wears jersey number 66 for the Braves and continues to work toward returning to the mound following an injury-plagued 2025 campaign. Holmes attended Conway High School in Conway, South Carolina, where he established himself as one of the top high school prospects in the country for the 2014 MLB draft. His dominant performances on the mound made him a heavily recruited player, and he ultimately committed to play college baseball at the University of Florida before choosing to begin his professional career. During his time at Conway High School, Holmes developed a reputation for his competitive fire and ability to pitch effectively in high-pressure situations, attributes that would serve him well throughout his minor league journey. Holmes was considered one of the premier prospects available in the 2014 draft class, with scouts praising his projectable frame and advanced pitchability for his age. The Los Angeles Dodgers selected Holmes with the 22nd overall pick in the 2014 MLB draft, securing his services for a $2.5 million signing bonus on June 17, 2014. The organization assigned him to the Arizona League Dodgers to begin his professional career, where he posted a 1-2 record with a 3.00 earned run average across seven appearances. He earned a promotion to the Ogden Raptors in mid-August 2014, compiling a 1-1 record with a 4.91 ERA in four starts before concluding his inaugural professional season. Holmes opened the 2015 campaign with the Great Lakes Loons and was selected to the mid-season All-Star team, finishing the year with a 6-4 record and a 3.14 ERA in 24 starts. He earned another promotion to the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes to begin the 2016 season, continuing his steady development within the Dodgers system. On August 1, 2016, the Dodgers traded Holmes along with Jharel Cotton and Frankie Montas to the Oakland Athletics in exchange for veteran left-hander Rich Hill and outfielder Josh Reddick, a deal that marked the beginning of a new chapter in his career. Upon joining the Athletics organization, Holmes was assigned to the Stockton Ports and finished the 2016 season strong, combining for an 11-7 record and 4.63 ERA across 26 total appearances between Rancho Cucamonga and Stockton. He spent the entire 2017 season with the Double-A Midland RockHounds, logging 150 strikeouts over 148 and one-third innings while posting an 11-12 record. The Athletics added Holmes to their 40-man roster in November 2018 to protect him from the Rule 5 draft, demonstrating the organization’s belief in his potential. Holmes battled through shoulder soreness during the 2019 season, splitting time between Midland and the Triple-A Las Vegas Aviators while registering a combined 6-5 record with an impressive 3.23 ERA. The COVID-19 pandemic caused the cancellation of the 2020 minor league season, leaving Holmes without a season to showcase his abilities. He returned in 2021 with Las Vegas but struggled significantly, recording an 8.01 ERA across 36 appearances. The Athletics outrighted Holmes to Las Vegas in April 2022 before releasing him in July, ending his tenure with the organization. Holmes signed a minor league contract with the Atlanta Braves on August 13, 2022, beginning his path back to the majors. He appeared in three games split between the Florida Complex League Braves and High-A Rome Braves to close out the 2022 season. The 2023 campaign saw Holmes serve as a key member of the Triple-A Gwinnett Stripers bullpen, recording a 7-3 record with a 3.54 ERA, 74 strikeouts, and 13 saves across 50 appearances and 61 innings of work. He elected free agency following the season but quickly re-signed with the Braves on a new minor league contract in November 2023. Holmes opened the 2024 season with Gwinnett, dominating Triple-A competition with a 2.63 ERA, 51 strikeouts, and four saves through 18 appearances. His strong performance earned him a selection to the Braves 40-man roster, and he was promoted to the majors for the first time on June 16, 2024. Holmes made his MLB debut that same day against the Tampa Bay Rays, tossing three scoreless innings in relief while recording two strikeouts. He recorded his first career start on July 29 against the Milwaukee Brewers, allowing one run over five innings while striking out eight batters in a no-decision. Holmes finished the 2024 season with a 2-1 record, a 3.56 ERA, and 70 strikeouts across seven starts, demonstrating his potential as a rotation piece for the future. Holmes entered the 2025 season with increased expectations and built upon his rookie campaign by making 22 appearances with 21 starts for the Braves. He compiled a 4-9 record with a 3.99 ERA and 123 strikeouts over 115 innings of work, showing his ability to miss bats at the major league level. On June 15, 2025, Holmes set a personal milestone by recording 15 strikeouts in a single game, the highest single-game total of his professional career. The right-hander worked effectively with his stuff, displaying a diverse arsenal that kept opposing hitters off balance throughout the season. However, his 2025 campaign came to an abrupt end when he was placed on the injured list on July 27 due to right elbow inflammation. He was subsequently transferred to the 60-day injured list, ending his season prematurely. Medical evaluations revealed a partially torn ulnar collateral ligament in his elbow, though Holmes indicated his intention to attempt rehabilitation without undergoing Tommy John surgery. As of June 2026, Holmes continues his recovery process while remaining on the Braves roster, working toward a eventual return to the mound. Throughout his professional career, Holmes has demonstrated the ability to pitch effectively at multiple levels, showing particular strength in generating strikeouts and limiting hard contact. His repertoire includes a fastball that sits in the low-to-mid 90s along with complementary breaking stuff that has allowed him to retire batters from both sides of the plate. Holmes has experience working both as a starter and reliever, giving the Braves organizational flexibility in how they deploy him upon his return. The Braves selected Holmes with the 22nd overall pick in the 2014 MLB draft, and after nearly a decade of minor league development, he has established himself as a viable MLB contributor. His journey from top prospect to big leaguer spanned multiple organizations and included significant obstacles, including the 2020 pandemic cancellation and various injuries, yet he persisted in his pursuit of reaching the majors. Holmes made his MLB debut on June 16, 2024, at age 28, fulfilling a dream that had been delayed by years of patient development in the minor leagues. He earned his first major league win during his debut season and continued to build his credentials throughout his first full big league campaign. Through June 27, 2026, Holmes has compiled a career major league record of 10-14 with a 3.87 earned run average and 262 strikeouts across 47 total appearances. In 2024, his rookie season, he went 2-1 with a 3.56 ERA and 70 strikeouts over 35 and two-thirds innings in seven starts. The 2025 season saw him make 22 appearances with 21 starts, posting a 4-9 record with a 3.99 ERA and 123 strikeouts across 115 innings before his injury. Holmes has also demonstrated effectiveness as a reliever, showing the versatility to pitch in various roles depending on team needs. He saved 13 games with Triple-A Gwinnett in 2023 and four more during his brief stint with the Stripers in 2024 before his promotion. Holmes comes from a baseball family, as his brother Colby Holmes played college baseball at the University of South Carolina and later appeared in the Atlanta Braves organization. Their shared passion for the sport has been a constant thread throughout their lives. Holmes married his wife Sami in February 2020, and the couple has built a life together as he continues his professional baseball career. The support system around Holmes, including his family and spouse, has played a role in helping him navigate the ups and downs of a lengthy minor league career before finally reaching the majors. The 2025 season represented Holmes’s most extensive big league action to date, as he transitioned from an occasional starter to a regular member of the Braves rotation. His 22 appearances and 115 innings pitched marked significant increases from his rookie campaign, reflecting the organization’s growing trust in his abilities. The highlight of his season came in mid-June when he struck out 15 batters in a single-game performance, demonstrating the ceiling that made him a first-round pick years earlier. The injury that ended his season in late July dealt a setback to his momentum, but Holmes has expressed optimism about his rehabilitation path. The diagnosis of a partially torn UCL presents challenges, yet his decision to pursue conservative treatment first shows his determination to return to form. The Braves remain patient with his recovery process, understanding the potential value he brings to their staff when healthy. Looking ahead, Holmes will focus on completing his rehabilitation and preparing for a return to competitive action in 2026 or beyond. His career path has been marked by persistence and adaptability, having succeeded at every minor league level before earning his opportunity in Atlanta. If he can return to full health, Holmes has the stuff and pitchability to be a productive member of a major league rotation for years to come. The Braves organization continues to believe in his long-term potential, making him a player to watch as he works his way back from injury.