Heading into 2024, the Atlanta Braves felt pretty good about their starting rotation. They began the season with Spencer Strider, Max Fried, Chris Sale, Reynaldo Lopez, and Charlie Morton.
That is a formidable rotation that could handle the best teams in baseball with relative ease. Unfortunately, that rotation only lasted for about a week as Spencer Strider suffered a UCL injury during his second start of the season.
Atlanta tried letting top prospects get a chance to fill that void but it didn't go very well. However, this wouldn't be the last time the Braves had to find an internal replacement for an injury.
Grant Holmes provides the Braves with pitching flexibility in 2025
One of the pitchers who had an opportunity to earn a spot in the rotation was Grant Holmes. Holmes spent 10 years in the minor leagues before the Braves called him up in June to serve as a long relief option.
He did a great job during his first 10 relief appearances with a 2.70 ERA and 2.14 FIP over 23.1 innings. Holmes allowed seven runs, walked five, and struck out 21 batters during that stretch. This excellence provided Atlanta confidence in his ability to excel in a starting role.
His first start came against the Brewers in late July and he looked great early on, striking out seven of the first nine batters faced. He didn't allow a run until the fifth inning. According to Braves insider Mark Bowman, that was only the second time since 1961 that a pitcher recorded the first seven outs of his first career start via strikeouts only.
Grant Holmes, 3Ks in the 2nd.
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) July 30, 2024
6Ks thru 2. 😯 pic.twitter.com/R1SlJhhOHJ
He ended that start with eight strikeouts and impressed the coaching staff. Holmes, who bears an uncanny resemblance to the fictional character Kenny Powers, started three more games after that.
Grant earned a 4.57 ERA over this time frame including five walks and 26 strikeouts. Teams began to figure him out a bit as indicated by a .273 average against him. He was relegated back to the bullpen after that but did make three more starts later in the season.
Overall, as a starter, Holmes earned a 4.01 ERA over 33.2 innings with nine walks and 40 strikeouts. His stats as a reliever were a bit better with a 3.12 ERA over 34.2 innings, including six walks and 30 strikeouts.
His metrics were impressive and the amount of chase he was able to induce was shocking. Holmes isn't known for having that kind of stuff. He much more relies on getting ground balls. However, his low walk rate and ability to miss barrels may provide the team with some flexibility in 2025.
Atlanta has to find a way to potentially replace both Charlie Morton and Max Fried next season. One of those holes will likely be filled externally but the second one could be an internal option and Holmes has shown the ability to be effective in the role.
However, he would likely only be used until Spencer Strider is ready to return once fully healed from his injury. Holmes' stats indicate the bullpen is a much better role for him but knowing he could help the team in a pinch is a luxury most teams dream of having.
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