2016 MLB Trade Deadline: 5 best prospects traded
By Brad Weiss
5. Grant Holmes
Grant Holmes is going to be a starter in the Major Leagues, and it is only a matter of time before he is toeing the rubber for the Oakland Athletics. A former first round selection of the Los Angeles Dodgers, Holmes was traded alongside Jharel Cotton and Frankie Montas for Rich Hill and Josh Reddick. If he can continue to progress on the mound, Holmes could wind up being the better than Hill in the long run.
Holmes’ potential is so high that MLB.com rated him as the third-best prospect in the organization as soon as he was traded. Possessing a mid-90s fastball to go along with a devastating curveball, Holmes has the stuff to succeed at the next level. He needs to continue to develop his changeup, and work on his command, but he is young enough to reach his ceiling.
The 20-year old has posted an 8-4 record with the Single-A Rancho Cucamonga Quakes, and on Sunday, he appeared to be either joking or psychic.
The day before he was traded, Holmes was caught joking around with his teammates that he had been traded, hugging and saying goodbye. On Monday, that became a reality, and the Athletics farm system is much better because of it. Holmes could become a middle of the rotation starter for Oakland very soon, and is projected to be in the big leagues by 2018.
Next: 4. Gleyber Torres