Blue Jays: Looking at where the unsigned 2021 MLB Draft picks ended up

Luke Holman

Luke Holman entered the 2021 MLB Draft ranked at #162 overall according to MLB.com and rated the third top prospect in Pennsylvania by PBR. As a high school senior, Holman finished the year with a 0.88 ERA through 13 appearances, allowing just seven earned runs through 55.2 innings pitched while striking out 113 batters.

The Jays likely knew he wouldn’t sign so far down the draft board but selected him in the 20th round, with the right-hander deciding to honour his commitment to the University of Alabama instead.

In his first year with the Crimson Tide, Holman worked exclusively out of the bullpen, appearing in 15 games and earning a 5.68 ERA in the process. He finished the year with a 1.737 WHIP and struck out 24 batters in 19.0 innings of work while also allowing eight walks.

The 6’4″ right-hander struggled out of the gate, allowing six earned runs through his first two games and 3.1 combined innings before settling down, allowing three earned runs combined over his next twelve outings, amassing 20 strikeouts in the process. His last outing of the year saw him put up another three earned runs versus Texas A&M but he ended up leading all true freshmen in relief appearances and struck out three or more batters on four separate occasions this year.

Holman will head back to Alabama next year and eligible for the 2024 MLB Draft.