With the Little League World Series underway in Williamsport, one minor league player had his dreams come true, getting called up to the Oakland Athletics. But, back on this week in 2013, Grant Holman threw a no-hitter in the Little League World Series. Now, 11 years later, Holman had his contract selected on the same day he would throw a no-hitter.
In 2013, Holman became the first pitcher since 1979 to throw an extra-inning no-hitter in LLWS play for East Lake Little League. In his dominant performance against Michigan, he struck out 13 batters in seven innings. He would also become the first pitcher to throw a no-hitter since the 85-pitch limit was introduced in 2007.
Holman, 24, was drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the sixth round of the 2021 MLB Draft out of the University of California. He was mainly used as a starter throughout his college career, transitioning to the bullpen during the 2023 season. Getting his first crack at the bullpen in 25 games with Double-A Midland, Holman posted a 5.85 ERA, striking out 45 batters in 32.1 innings of work.
After posting more robust strikeout numbers in the bullpen, he would begin the 2024 season with Double-A Midland after 17 games without allowing a run to score, tallying six saves, throwing in 19.1 innings, and striking out 24 batters. Rewarded for his performance, he would get promoted to Triple-A Sacramento. He continued his dominant season there, recording a 4-0 record, posting a 0.92 ERA in 29.1 innings, punching out 30 batters.
Holman made his MLB debut yesterday against the San Francisco Giants. Ironically, the first batter Holman faced was former little league and high school teammate Casey Schmitt, who would ground out to second base to escape the inning. He would head back out for the top of the 8th, allowing one hit, a lead-off double to Grant McCray. After allowing the hit, he would get Tyler Fitzgerald looking for his first career strikeout before being replaced by T.J. McFarland.
With how Holman has impressed pitching across two minor league levels just this season, we will see if the A’s have plans for him to finish the rest of the season in an A’s uniform, potentially working as a set-up man to flamethrower Mason Miller.
Check out our Instagram and Tik Tok for exclusive Little League World Series content.
_____
WBN MLB: https://worldbaseball.com/league/mlb/
Photo Credit: Grant Holman #67 of the Oakland Athletics making his major league debut pitches against the San Francisco Giants in the top of the eighth inning at the Oakland Coliseum on August 17, 2024 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
