2011 Indians Top 50 Prospects: #28 Tyler Holt

Tyler Holt – Outfielder
Born: 03/10/1989 – Height: 6’0” – Weight: 190 – Bats: Right – Throws: Right

(Photo: Tony Lastoria)

History: The Indians selected Holt in the 10^th round of the 2010 Draft out of Florida State University. He was signed a few days before the August 16^th signing deadline for a well overslot $500,000 signing bonus. He played for Team USA in 2009 hitting .371 with 28 runs scored, 24 walks and 19 stolen bases.

Strengths: Holt is a very talented player with good all around skills and is a very interesting leadoff hitting prospect. He was arguably the best table-setter in college baseball the past few years with his very good speed and very advanced approach at the plate. He only has below average power, but he sprays line drives all over the field from pole to pole and makes consistent, hard contact. He is a smart baserunner with plus speed, and is a very sound defender showing very good range in center field with an average arm.

Holt shows an intensity on the field and at the plate that is beyond almost anything the Indians have had in awhile. He is a fiery player who lets his emotions show on the field, and his intensity and heart are two intangibles that few players match. He has an excellent makeup and work ethic, and his instincts as a hitter, runner, and defender are off the charts which help him play above his tools. He has the potential to be a Brett Gardner type of player by using a combination of his approach, speed, intelligence, and heart to make him a potential starter and complementary player in the big leagues.

Opportunities: While Holt’s aggressive approach is part of his game, it is also something that can at times detract from it. During his time in the minors he will need to learn how to tone it down a little so he can make it through the emotional grind of a full season. The Indians by no means want him to stop playing with such a high intensity as they understand it is part of who he is and what helps him overachieve; however, they just want him to learn how to better manage and control it. One area of focus at the plate will be getting his hands in a better load position as his current setup with the open crouch is not ideal.  Due to his average at best throwing arm, it may eventually push him out of center field to left field or as a fourth outfielder, which lessens his value.

Outlook: The fact Holt made his debut in Low-A Lake County and not at short-season Single-A Mahoning Valley shows how much further along the Indians think he is than most players coming out of the draft last year. He doesn't project as a big league star, but depending on who you talk to the general consensus is he will play in the big leagues some day in some kind of role, be it as a fourth outfielder or a regular. He should open the 2011 season at High-A Kinston.

Year	Age	Team	Lvl	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
2008	19	Florida St	C	68	250	83	81	10	2	3	41	64	46	15	.324	.471	.416	.887
2009	20	Florida St	C	63	237	87	95	23	2	5	28	54	47	34	.401	.517	.578	1.095
2010	21	Florida St	C	68	259	92	92	26	3	13	48	59	48	30	.355	.480	.629	1.109
2010	21	Lake County	A	22	70	12	20	8	2	0	8	15	12	5	.286	.409	.457	.866
		MiLB Totals		22	70	12	20	8	2	0	8	15	12	5	.286	.409	.457	.866

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