With the No. 4 pick in the 2025 MLB Draft, the Colorado Rockies selected Ethan Holliday. Here are a few things to know about the newest member of the Rockies organization:
Big League Bloodlines, Big Expectations
The Rockies just grabbed one of the biggest names in this year’s draft — and not just because of his family tree. Ethan Holliday, an 18-year-old shortstop out of Stillwater, Oklahoma, stands 6-foot-4, 195 pounds, with a left-handed bat that’s been drawing attention since he was barely in high school. If the name feels familiar, it should: Ethan is the son of seven-time All-Star Matt Holliday and the younger brother of Orioles phenom Jackson Holliday. Now, the youngest Holliday steps into pro ball ready to make a name for himself on his own terms.
Sweet Left-Handed Swing
Ethan’s most talked-about tool is that smooth, picturesque swing from the left side — the same one that Team USA manager Mark Derosa said was comparable to Corey Seager. He barrels balls to all fields with advanced feel for contact and a natural knack for the strike zone that’s rare for his age. As a senior at Stillwater High, he hit .611 and led the nation with 19 home runs, while adding 64 RBIs and a 2.038 OPS, and he had more walks than strikeouts, showing the kind of polish you don’t often see from an 18-year-old. Multiple evaluators see 20- to 25-homer upside if his frame keeps filling out — and with his bloodlines, betting against it feels risky.
Steady in the Dirt
While Ethan’s bat headlines his scouting report, his glove is a big part of the package too. He’s a natural shortstop with soft hands, good instincts, and enough arm strength to stick on the left side of the infield as he matures. Some scouts think he could eventually slide over to third if he adds muscle, but he’s shown plenty of range and feel to stay up the middle for now. He’s not flashy defensively — just smart, smooth, and dependable, which goes a long way when your team is banking on a prep infielder to develop into an everyday big leaguer.
Groomed for the Moment
Few high schoolers come into the draft more prepared for what’s ahead. Growing up around major league clubhouses with his dad and watching his older brother go through the same process, Ethan’s reputation is built on maturity and work ethic as much as talent. He’s been around pro routines, understands what it takes, and doesn’t seem fazed by the spotlight. This spring, Holliday was named the 2024-25 Gatorade Player of the Year for baseball in Oklahoma, and he also earned National Prep Baseball Player of the Year honors — a reminder that even with all the attention, he still handled his business on the field.
Family First, But His Own Path
One thing that’s clear to anyone who’s watched the Holliday family up close: Ethan isn’t just riding his last name. He’s proud of his dad’s legacy and his brother’s fast rise, but by all accounts, he’s driven to carve out his own story. He’s committed to Oklahoma State — where his dad is on staff — but turning down college ball to sign with your club shows he’s ready to get to work now. He’s got the makeup teams crave in a prep pick: confident but humble, and wired to get better every year.
Bottom Line
Ethan Holliday isn’t just “Jackson’s brother.” He’s a premium prep bat with a left-handed swing built for extra-base hits, a steady glove, and the mindset to handle the slow burn of development that comes with being a high school infielder. There’s real star upside here if the power comes the way scouts think it will — and a strong chance he grows into an everyday regular even if it doesn’t. For fans, it’s a pick that comes with instant name recognition — and a good chance the next Holliday in the big leagues will be worth the wait.
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