Our Next Pelfrey?

In 2001, after Mike Hampton left the NL Champion Mets for the great school systems of Colorado, the Mets used their supplemental first round pick to draft David Wright. This year after Tom Glavine after what seems like years of begging to be brought back was signed by the Braves giving the Mets another supplemental pick. They used it on Brad Holt.

Before Rick Peterson was fired, he did leave a lasting impression that there is a certain body type and certain mechanics needed for a pitcher to be successful. It was this feeling that had the Mets organization believing Scott Kazmir would eventually break down and helped lead to the infamous trade. Still, Mike Pelfrey has the required body type and seems to be developing into a horse that could throw a lot of innings and be a top of the rotation starter for many years to come.

Brad Holt is 6 foot 4 and has a perfect pro body with a clean delivery. His fastball sits between 92-94 and touches 96. He is athletic and maintains his velocity deep into games. Like Pelfrey early in his development, he is working to improve his secondary pitches. He made the Baseball America Hotsheet with the following comments:

The Scoop: A supplemental first-round pick out of UNC Wilmington, Holt delivered his best professional outing yet by pitching seven shutout innings and striking out 10 in a game against State College. Holt struck out the game’s first four batters and retired the leadoff batter in each of the first six innings. His first start did not go well, but since then Holt has allowed three earned runs in 20 2/3 innings as hitters are struggling to catch up to his 94 mph fastball.

Early on, it seems the Mets have had a good draft in 2008. Holt is one the main guys the monkeys will continue to follow. Next year, he'll likely start at St. Lucie and hopefully move up to Binghamton. It's not crazy to think Holt may debut in the majors by 2010.