YGY Staten Island Yankees Top 5 Players Of The Week: (8/13-8/19)

Mandatory Credit: sandytambone.com

3. RHP Jonathan Holder (1-1, 2.77)

Holder makes the top five for the second time this season and for good reason. On Thursday night against Connecticut, Holder got the start as the team looked for the sweep. The sixth round pick out of Mississippi State ended up coming up big with four shutout innings, giving up only one hit and striking out five. The right-hander has now given up one earned run on six hits with 13 strikeouts in his last 11 innings of work.

I caught up with him Friday to discuss the adjustments he has made as he has faced some of these lineups, such as Connecticut, a second time:

"“I’ve got a better feel of some of these teams I’ve seen,” said Holder. “Paying attention to other people throwing has been a big key for it as well. He also mentioned that in his last few outings, he’s learned “how to throw his changeup better with my fastball.”"

Holder, the pitcher who told me he lives by Psalm 23:4, was drafted in the same organization as his college teammate, Jacob Lindgren. The second round pick has rose up the Yankees’ rank to AA, so I asked Holder about the feeling he had when he found out both of them would be drafted to the same organization.

"“It’s pretty cool. We are from the same hometown, went to the same college, and got to be best friends,” replied Holder. “I keep up with him a lot.”"

In ten games, Holder has given up a combined 13 runs. The progress he has made since a relief appearance in Connecticut on July 28 has been very good to watch, considering that he has a 0.82 ERA in three starts this month.