Holman earns callup to A's, 11 years after throwing no-no in LLWS

August 17th, 2024

OAKLAND -- Eleven years and one day after throwing an extra-inning no-hitter in the Little League World Series, right-hander has been called up to the Majors.

The A’s No. 21 prospect was promoted Saturday after dominating hitters in Double-A Midland and Triple-A Las Vegas this season, going 4-0 with a 0.55 ERA and a 0.97 WHIP in 40 games.

“[Holman’s] had a pretty exceptional year to this point,” A’s manager Mark Kotsay said. “Definitely earned this promotion from a performance standpoint. We’re excited to have him and get a look at him.”

The Chula Vista, Calif., native has 54 strikeouts and nine saves in 48 2/3 innings this season.

Holman was a two-way player at Cal but gave up playing first base to focus on pitching in his junior year. He was drafted by the A’s in the sixth round in 2021 and began his pro career as a starter, but transitioned to the bullpen in 2023. He started this season as the closer in Midland before throwing 19 1/3 scoreless innings and moving up to Las Vegas.

Holman will join fellow 2021 draftee Mason Miller in Oakland's 'pen.

His callup comes during Players’ Weekend, which culminates in the Yankees-Tigers game Sunday night in Williamsport, Pa., the host of the Little League World Series and the site of one of Holman’s most memorable games.

Holman struck out 13 for California in seven innings in a 3-0 victory over Michigan in 2013, becoming the first pitcher to throw a no-hitter since the 85-pitch limit was introduced in 2007. It was also the first extra-inning no-hitter in the LLWS since 1979.