YGY Staten Island Yankees’ Top 5 Players Of The Week (7/28-8/4)
By Ricky Keeler
Yankees’ draft pick Jonathan Holder. Mandatory Credit: cdispatch.com.
2. RHP Jonathan Holder (1-1, 3.32 ERA)
While all the buzz in the Yankees’ minor league organization has been about second round pick Jacob Lindgren (who was recently promoted to Trenton), you can’t forget Lindgren’s teammate from Mississippi State, Jonathan Holder. Holder, the sixth round pick in this year’s draft, made his last Saturday night against the Auburn Doubledays and was outstanding.
In four innings pitched, he gave up only one hit and struck out five batters while walking one. He made a relief appearance on July 28 against a good Connecticut lineup and gave up two unearned runs on five hits in 3.1 innings, striking out two. The positives for Holder from last Saturday was that he located his fastball for strikes. That allows him to use his curveball effectively, according to manager Mario Garza.
"“If he’s pitching ahead in the count, the curveball becomes more effective,” said Garza."
One of the pitches that pitching coach Tim Norton told me on Saturday night he was throwing more of late is his changeup:
"“His approach is a little different now. He knows to be a little more pitch effective,” replied Norton."
Holder was mainly a reliever in college, but he struck out 71 batters in 52.2 innings pitched last year in a tough SEC conference. It is unknown what Holder’s role is in future years with the organization. However, with the exception of one bad game against Hudson Valley on July 22, his pro career is off to a good start.