Grant Holmes’ Journey with the Braves

NORTH PORT, Fla. — Grant Holmes was enjoying some downtime in Las Vegas when he discovered that the Braves were interested in helping him prolong his career, which had been solely spent in the Minor Leagues for eight seasons.

A Curly-Haired Comparison

However, don’t let the Las Vegas backdrop mislead you into thinking Holmes is akin to the notorious Kenny Powers. The Braves pitcher has often been likened to the irreverent character from HBO’s Eastbound and Down due to their similar long, curly hair.

Perceptions vs. Reality

“I find it funny when people say that because he and I are basically opposites,” Holmes remarked. “Some assume I knock back a six-pack after every game, but in reality, I’ve probably had just six beers in my whole life. The only similarity we share is the look.”

Proving His Worth

Holmes is clearly proving that he can effectively secure one of the first four spots in Atlanta’s rotation. Recovering from elbow issues that kept him sidelined during the last months of the previous season, he shone in a recent outing, striking out nine in five innings against the Pirates.

A Turning Point

Back to the Vegas story from late 2022—Holmes was not there for the entertainment but rather faced uncertainty after being released by the A’s. Despite interest from the Mets and Nationals, he opted for a Minor League contract with the Braves, against his agent’s advice.

Transformative Improvements

The contract included the remainder of 2022 and all of 2023. During his early days with the Braves, Holmes experimented with his curveball grip and developed a slider that has quickly gained recognition as one of baseball’s finest.

Making His Mark

Ten years after being picked 22nd overall by the Dodgers in the 2014 MLB Draft, Holmes received his Major League call-up. He debuted on June 16, 2024, and just a year later, he delivered an unforgettable performance, striking out 15 batters in 6 ⅓ innings against the Rockies, joining the ranks of Braves legends.