From ninth-round draft pick to record-breaking Yankees closer
In short: Clay Holmes has navigated the volatile highs and lows of Major League Baseball. After forgoing college to sign a $1.2 million bonus, he climbed from the minor leagues to breaking franchise records in New York, eventually reinventing himself as a starter for the Mets.
Born on March 27, 1993, in Alabama, Clay Holmes' professional journey began when he was selected by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the ninth round of the 2011 MLB draft. Choosing professional baseball over a commitment to play for the Auburn Tigers, Holmes signed with the Pirates for a $1.2 million bonus. His early career was marked by steady development in the minor leagues and a significant hurdle in 2014, when he underwent Tommy John surgery, causing him to miss an entire season.
After making his MLB debut with the Pirates in 2018, Holmes experienced a career-defining shift in 2021. Following a mid-season trade to the New York Yankees, he emerged as a dominant force. In 2022, he broke a franchise record previously held by Mariano Rivera, setting a new mark for consecutive scoreless appearances on June 18. This performance earned him his first All-Star selection that year.
Holmes' career has been defined by high-stakes transitions. Following a fruitful 2024 campaign for the Yankees—notably earning his second All-Star nod while leading the league with 13 blown saves—he inked a $38 million, three-year deal with the New York Mets. This move included a plan to convert the reliever into a starting pitcher. Though his tenure in New York was cut short by a fractured fibula in May 2026, he eventually moved to the Chicago Cubs in August 2026, continuing his evolution on the mound.
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