Rockies draft Ethan Holliday: How national media graded Colorado’s first-round pick

The Rockies are hoping a familiar surname will again bring success to Coors Field one day. Colorado on Sunday selected 18-year-old Ethan Holliday — son of former Rockies star outfielder Matt Holliday — with the No. 4 overall pick in the MLB draft. Holliday, a 6-foot-4, 210-pound shortstop with power, was hardly a surprise pick entering the draft, as national draftniks universally had him coming to the team who drafted his father. Now that Colorado has official drafted him, here’s a look at how national analysts are grading the pick. Bleacher Report’s Joel Reuter (Grade: A): “Holliday hit a blistering .617/.737/1.309 with 19 home runs and 51 RBI in 32 games this spring, solidifying his status as the best power-hitting prospect in the 2025 draft class. His strong 6-4, 210-pound frame more closely resembles his All-Star father Matt than it does his contact-oriented brother Jackson, though it also means a shift to third base is in his near future. He showed some swing-and-miss on the showcase circuit last summer, but he has more than enough hit tool to consistently get to his elite power, giving him the potential to be a perennial 30-homer, 100-RBI threat.” Related Articles Rockies pick Ethan Holliday with the fourth overall pick of MLB draft Rockies, hurt by poor defense, lose to Reds, limp into All-Star break 22-74 Rockies Journal: Drafting Ethan Holliday is a baseball decision, not a sentimental journey Ethan Holliday could well be ‘best player available’ when Rockies pick fourth on Sunday Rockies waste multiple scoring chances, lose in walk-off fashion to Reds CBS Sports’ R.J. Anderson (Grade: A): “Holliday marries a good approach with big-time strength from the left side. He’s not going to remain at shortstop, however, and there’s enough swing and miss in his game to give evaluators some pause. I think it’s a fine pick for the Rockies, especially with how tough it is for any pitcher to be a ‘good’ fit in Coors Field.” ESPN’s David Schoenfield (No grade given): “There was plenty of talk about Holliday being a possibility for the No. 1 pick, so the Rockies have to be happy about getting the player who might have the best chance of developing into a true major league star. His best-case scenario is reaching the majors as a power-hitting, good-fielding third baseman who turns into the Rockies’ first franchise player since they traded away a power-hitting, good-fielding third baseman in Nolan Arenado.” The Sporting News’ Dan Treacy (Grade: A): “The Rockies were never going to pass on Holliday if he made it to No. 4, and they have a potential cornerstone with ties to the organization in the 18-year-old. No high school prospect can be called a sure thing, but Holliday has all of the tools needed to put himself on a fast-track to the majors. His power would play well in Coors Field (or any stadium, really), and the off-field benefits of adding a potential household name to an organization that badly needs some positive attention.” USA Today’s Austin Curtright (Grade: A+): “Ethan Holliday falls to No. 4 to the Colorado Rockies, where his dad, seven-time All-Star Matt Holliday, started his MLB career.” Want more Rockies news? Sign up for the Rockies Insider to get all our MLB analysis.