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BRANDON HOLDEN
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RIGHT HANDED PITCHER
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Born: January 1, 1988 Height: 6′ 4″ Weight: 185 Bats: Right Throws: Right Drafted: 13th Round, 380th Overall, 2006 How Acquired: Draft High School: Douglas HS Agent: N/A |
WTM’S PIRATE PLAYER PROFILES |
| Holden and Lonnie Chisenhall were the Pirates’ two attempts on day one of the 2006 draft to pick up talent that had fallen from the early rounds. Holden came on strongly in high school that spring, showing an 88-92 mph fastball and above-average curve. He was shut down with a sore arm, however, and probably fell due to health concerns and problems with his command. Baseball America projected him as a possible second or third rounder absent the health concerns. The Pirates said they were going to follow him through the summer. They must have been happy with what they saw because they signed him in late August, making him a rare above-slot signing for a team that, under Dave Littlefield, had little genuine interest in its farm system.
2007: Struggled badly with control in GCL. Did manage to improve in last three outings, walking just two and allowing two hits in six innings, while fanning six. 2008: Returned to GCL and went to opposite extreme, walking very few batters but also fanning very few. ERA was very high considering how few baserunners he allowed. Threw 91-92 consistently. 2009: Pitched strictly in short relief for State College. I don’t know whether that was because of health concerns or because the Pirates didn’t have a favorable view of his potential any longer. Didn’t pitch all that well and struck out almost nobody. 2010: Joined West Virginia bullpen early in season. Moved to rotation in mid-May, but the move didn’t exactly work out. After posting 3.86 ERA in relief, had 8.10 ERA in ten starts. Got hammered, including gopher ball problem. It was surprising that the team left him in the rotation so long, considering how badly it was going. Went on DL in early July and didn’t return. If Holden is healthy, he could try low A again in 2011. It’s also possible the Pirates could move him back to relief and try him in high A. He wasn’t on either roster to start the season, though, and so may not be healthy. |
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STATS
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| Baseball Reference Fangraphs MiLB.com
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