On the Clock...Colin Holderman

The Pittsburgh Pirates obtained Colin Holderman from the New York Mets on July 22, 2022 for first baseman Daniel Vogelbach. He started at AAA Indianapolis and was promoted to the Pirates on August 2. He pitched in a total of 24 games in 2022 (15 with the Mets, 9 with the Pirates) and went 5-0 with a 3.81 ERA combined. Last season, Holderman pitched in 58 games for Pittsburgh and went 0-3 with a 3.86 ERA, striking out 58 in 56 innings. 

Colin Holderman has started the 2024 season strong. He has pitched in 25 games (mostly in high leverage) and is 2-0 with a 0.76 ERA. In 23.2 innings, he has only given up 12 hits while striking out 27.

Holderman has had a unique path to the Major Leagues. After graduating from Bradley-Bourbonnais Community High School in Bradley, Illinois, Holderman enrolled at Southern Illinois University to play college baseball for the Southern Illinois Salukis. After one year, he transferred to Heartland Community College. Holderman found his niche on the mound and was named the National Junior College Athletic Association’s Division II Baseball Player of the Year. After the strong season, Holderman committed to transfer to Mississippi State University.

The New York Mets selected Holderman in the ninth round of the 2016 MLB Draft and he signed with the Mets rather than transfer to Mississippi State. 

Draft Nation got to catch up with Colin Holderman recently to talk about his draft experience.

Colin Holderman is on the clock…

Draft Nation- In high school you had to be throwing hard? How hard?

Colin Holderman- “I actually wasn’t pitching much in high school, so I really don’t know but I believe it was 90-92”.

Draft Nation- So no one really looked at you in high school? You weren’t on scouts radar screens?”

Colin Holderman- “I was more of a position player, I played catcher, some shortstop…I started pitching a little bit my senior year, but I didn’t know what I was doing, I was just throwing.”

Draft Nation- So Southern Illinois brought you in to pitch?

Colin Holderman- “A little bit, but I hit there too, I really didn’t fully start pitching until I went to junior college.”

Draft Nation- So you were sort of behind the 8-ball when compared to other pitchers?

Colin Holderman- “Yeah because I wanted to become a position player, that’s what I always wanted to do, and I hit good, I hit close to .500 there and uhh I had some home runs and I thought I was a better hitter.”

Draft Nation- You ever go up there and mess around in batting practice?

Colin Holderman- (Laughing) “Uh–No it’s a risk and reward thing, I stay away…all I need to do is blow out a hammy”.

Draft Nation- The year you got drafted was there a round or signing bonus number where you told yourself if I am not chosen by this round I am still going to go to Mississippi State?

Colin Holderman- “Yeah, me and my family and my agency had a number in mind and uh we got pretty close to it, wasn’t exact but very close.”

Draft Nation- How was the day of the draft sitting around, was it hard?

Colin Holderman- “You should ask my family, it is the worst. I was stressed on day one, we were hoping late day one. Like drafts go we heard things, but day two came and I got picked in round six by New York. I actually got a call from the Toronto Blue Jays and they said they were going to take me a pick or two after the Mets at first, but the Mets took me before them.”