From a $2.5 million draft pick to a Major League debut years later
In short: In 2014, Grant Holmes was a top prospect with a massive signing bonus. After a decade of trades, injuries, and a global pandemic that halted minor league play, he finally reached the pinnacle of professional baseball with the Atlanta Braves.
Grant Holmes' journey to the Major Leagues is a testament to professional persistence. After being selected 22nd overall during the 2014 MLB draft by the Los Angeles Dodgers, Holmes entered a contract on June 17, 2014, featuring a $2.5 million bonus. At the time, he was considered a premier prospect, having committed to the University of Florida before entering professional baseball. He originally attended Conway High School in South Carolina. Before his professional career began, he played for the Arizona League Dodgers.
His path was rarely linear. In August 2016, the Dodgers traded him to the Oakland Athletics in a multi-player deal involving Jharel Cotton and Frankie Montas for Rich Hill and Josh Reddick. His career faced further disruption when the 2020 minor league season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. After being released by the Athletics in July 2022, Holmes signed with the Atlanta Braves organization in August of that year, eventually making his MLB debut on June 16, 2024, against the Tampa Bay Rays. During his time with the Oakland Athletics, he was added to their 40-man roster to prevent him from being taken in the Rule 5 draft. He previously played for the Midland RockHounds and the Las Vegas Aviators.
Even after reaching the majors, the challenges continued. On July 27, 2025, Holmes was moved to the 60-day injured list due to right elbow inflammation. Following a diagnosis of a partially torn ulnar collateral ligament, Holmes expressed his intention to attempt rehabilitation without undergoing surgery. In June 2025, he achieved a career high by striking out fifteen batters in a single game. He has since focused on recovering from his ligament injury.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Grant Holmes
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