Holman makes MLB debut, 11 years after throwing no-no in LLWS

OAKLAND -- Manager Mark Kotsay wanted to provide a soft landing spot for Grant Holman when the A’s No. 21 prospect made his Major League debut.

Instead, a depleted bullpen forced him to put Holman in with two on and two outs with the A’s leading 2-0 in the seventh inning in Saturday's contest.

Holman got pinch-hitter Casey Schmitt to ground out to second and then recorded his first career strikeout against Tyler Fitzgerald in the eighth to cap a successful debut in the A’s 2-0 win over the Giants at the Coliseum.

“He came in very calm and under control, and the message was just throw strike one, and he did,” Kotsay said. “For him, first Major League outing, first appearance, I thought he did a great job.”

Holman was called up to the Majors earlier on Saturday, 11 years and one day after throwing an extra-inning no-hitter in the Little League World Series.

"It was awesome, a ton of fun,” Holman said of his debut. “A moment I’ve been looking forward to my whole life and I’d say it lived up to it.”

Holman also allowed a double to Grant McCray. Holman entered the game in a high-leverage situation because relievers Tyler Ferguson (44 pitches on Thursday) and Austin Adams (right elbow tightness) were unavailable.

“I don’t even know how to put it into words,” Holman said. “You work so hard to get to this point, and it’s just awesome. Just elated and I can’t wait to go out there and do it again.”

The right-hander was promoted 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,” Kotsay said pregame. “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 had 54 strikeouts and nine saves in 48 2/3 innings this season in the Minors.

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 joined 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.