Gabe Holt
Texas Tech OF/2B
Notes:
Ht: 5-10 | Wt: 170 | B-T: L-R
Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted
Scouting Report: Holt took over as Texas Tech’s leadoff hitter from the first game of his freshman season and has been a steady presence as the Red Raiders’ table-setter ever since. He’s well-suited for the role as his ground-ball and line-drive approach relies on spreading the ball to all fields. Once he makes contact, his plus-plus speed and aggressive baserunning makes him a threat to always take the extra base. He’ll even turn grounders through the infield into doubles if the outfielders don’t charge aggressively enough. While Holt’s speed is easily his best tool, he has a chance to be an above-average hitter thanks to quick hands and a solid understanding of the strike zone. His power and his power potential are quite limited. His swing is not generally geared to driving the ball over the wall, as he has very little load. That’s probably smart because the 5-foot-10, 170-pounder doesn’t really have the size or strength to hit more than 5-10 home runs a year. Holt is an excellent basestealer who could top 60 steals in his first two seasons at Texas Tech. Defensively, Holt has yet to find a true home. He was Texas Tech’s second baseman for much of his freshman season, but he’s below-average there and will need to improve his actions and soften his hands to play there in pro ball. He’s spent most of the past year and a half in right field, but his routes and reads leave much to be desired. There is some belief among scouts that he could end up being better in center field as the reads of fly balls off the bat are easier. This year, he has spent a little time in center field and has even filled in at shortstop, although he didn’t look comfortable there. Holt’s profile won’t sell every team, as he lacks power and has no clear defensive position, but he can run and get on base.