Oklahoma native Ethan Holliday is one of the year’s most talked-about prospects for the upcoming MLB Draft. Being predicted as a potential No. 1 pick certainly shines a spotlight on him, a situation intensified further due to his family background. His brother Jackson was the top pick in 2022, and his father Matt also had his time in the major leagues.
Recently, I had the opportunity to see Holliday in action in a tripartite showcase that gathered the three top high school players in Oklahoma. The event also brought together scouting directors from six teams drafting amongst the top nine spots. The coaches need to be credited for arranging this unique opportunity.
Holliday’s performance was a mixed affair. He brilliantly showcased his defensive skills as a shortstop, exceeding my anticipations in terms of lateral range and manual dexterity. However, his batting performance did not meet his reputation, with two strikeouts on breaking balls.
Holliday sure could have had a better day at bat. He was unable to display his full swing power, which we’ve seen during other games this season and the prior one. He seemed vulnerable to balls on the outer third due to his front side opening up, and because of his hard swing, he often misjudges the timing of pitches.
Holliday does have a strong understanding of the strike zone. His pattern of chasing pitches out of the zone mimicked his performance last fall, quite low at just 12 percent for balls barely outside the zone. His struggle was evident when it came to high-velocity pitches in the top third of the zone.
When it comes to his fielding skills, Holliday displayed impressive defense. He moved well to his right, demonstrating excellent hand-eye coordination and a strong throw, contradicting many off-season assessments that questioned his ability to remain a pro-level shortstop.
Holliday’s play calls to mind Corey Seager’s early days in Low A, post being drafted and signed by the Dodgers. Seager had similar issues with his front side lifting, but overcame the issue due to his talent and remedial work carried out by the Dodgers. Despite Holliday’s larger build and relative lack of speed, parallels can be drawn between them, providing optimism for his potential development.
As for Eli Willits, the Fort Cobb-Broxton, Okla., HS Boy, he has been reclassified for the 2025 draft. His young age and compact swing make him a valuable shortstop prospect, albeit with a somewhat lower ceiling due to his likely peak power of around 45.
Willits excels in his running and agile defending at short, showcasing soft hands and a strong arm. His talent predicts a future as a plus defender upon entering the major leagues. He maintains a contact-first approach in batting, which combined with his impressive bat speed, yields a low whiff rate.
Even though Willits’s swing is primarily directed towards making contact with the ball, it occasionally results in less than ideal hits. However, there’s potential for improved batting average due to expected growth in strength. His minimum potential seems to lie in a utility infielder role.
On that day, Carson Brumbaugh from Edmond Santa Fe, Okla., HS, an Arkansas commit and yet the third best shortstop on his own ground, also made his mark. His performance overshadowed both Holliday and Willits, with several hard hits and a notable ability to tackle a variety of pitches.
Brumbaugh showcased his running and fielding skills, revealing his aptitude for shortstop and hinting at his potential for other positions too. Although an average runner, his fine manual skills and arm strength make him a versatile player on the field. If he moves to Arkansas, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him as a first-rounder in 2028.
Recently, I visited Purvis, Miss., to observe the Parker siblings from Purvis HS, who have made a name for themselves in the high school baseball scene in the state this year despite their challenging background.
JoJo Parker, the older of the two, is the more renowned prospect. He’s an above-average runner with a good arm and strong instincts that amplify his skills. Moreover, his low whiff and chase rates combined with his batting skills could make him a desirable prospect for teams looking for strong hitters.
Jacob, the younger Parker, has impressive strength and a swing that doesn’t fully utilize his raw power. Despite being an average runner, his defense and power potential make him an attractive prospect, although he may end up in an outfield role.
Despite the overmatched opponent and short-duration matches, the Parkers demonstrated skill and potential. The opposing team also deserves recognition for their determination and dedicated play, reminding us that the sport isn’t just about the biggest prospects.