BROCK HOLT

6/11/88; '09 9th; Rice Univ.
L/R; 5-10, 165

Level	BA	OBP	SA	AB	2B	3B	HR	BB	K	SB	CS
2007 NJCAA	.356				16	3	1			13
2008 NJCAA	.405				14	6	7	33		20	5
2009 NCAA	.348	.425	.560	250	13	2	12	34	35	11	5
2009 A-	.299	.361	.449	254	14	3	6	26	31	9	0

Holt played JC ball for two years at Navarro College, then transferred to Rice. Originally a shortstop, he moved to second because Rice had a star shortstop in Rick Hague. He has enough defensive ability that the Pirates may want to move him back to SS. He had a solid, all-around offensive year for Rice, although he isn’t likely to hit for so much power as a pro. He signed shortly after the draft and reported to State College, where he had a promising debut, improving rapidly after a slow start. His OPS by month from June to September was .570 (9 games), .781, .850 and 1.077 (6 games). He finished with 18 hits in his last 42 ABs, with six walks and only two Ks. Overall, he didn't hit LHPs well, with a .655 OPS against them and .875 against RHPs, but the sample size is small at this stage. One word of caution: Holt had an OPS of .922 at home and .694 on the road. All of State College's left-handed hitting regulars had similar splits. The right-handed hitting regulars hit better on the road, which is probably why the ballpark at State College isn't a hitter's park overall.

Consistent with their practice of keeping prospects at more challenging defensive positions as long as possible, the Pirates played Holt in 45 games at short and 18 at second. He committed only nine errors, which is a good total for the level. He should be the starting shortstop at West Virginia next year, but the Pirates could decide to move him up to Bradenton.

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