Greg Holland (baseball)
| Greg Holland | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Kansas City Royals – No. 56 | |
| Pitcher | |
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Born: November 20, 1985 Morganton, North Carolina | |
| Bats: Right | Throws: Right |
| MLB debut | |
| August 2, 2010 for the Kansas City Royals | |
| Career statistics (through 2013 season) | |
| Win–loss record | 14–7 |
| Earned run average | 2.41 |
| Strikeouts | 291 |
| Saves | 67 |
| Teams | |
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| Career highlights and awards | |
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Gregory Scott Holland (November 20, 1985)[1] is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Kansas City Royals of Major League Baseball.
Career
Prior to being drafted by the Royals in the 10th round of the 2007 amateur draft, the 5'10", 180 pound Holland attended McDowell High School in Marion, North Carolina and then Western Carolina University. He was signed by scout Steve Connelly.
While at Western Carolina University, he went 2-3 with a 6.75 ERA in 2005, 4-4 with a 2.51 ERA in 2006 and 4-5 with a 3.77 ERA in 2007.
He began his professional career in 2007, making 22 relief appearances for the Idaho Falls Chukars and going 6-1 with a 3.48 ERA, striking out 37 batters in 33⅔ innings. In 2008, he pitched for the Wilmington Blue Rocks, going 4-5 with a 3.42 ERA in 32 games (seven starts), fanning 96 batters in 84⅓ innings. He split 2009 between the Northwest Arkansas Naturals and Omaha Royals, going a combined 4-3 with a 3.81 ERA in 35 relief appearances.
He began 2010 with the Omaha Royals, going 3-3 with a 3.81 ERA in 36 relief appearances for them overall. He was promoted to the majors on July 29, 2010 and made 15 relief appearances for the Kansas City Royals, going 0-1 with 23 strikeouts and a 6.75 ERA in 18⅔ innings.[2]
Holland started out 2011 in Omaha again, but was called up again in May, earning his first major league win in a May 19, 2011 win over the Texas Rangers. He pitched in 46 games for the big league club that season, going 5-1 with a 1.80 ERA. He allowed only 37 hits and struck out 74 batters in 60 innings. At the minor league level, he was 2-0 with a 2.08 ERA in 13 relief appearances that season.
He had a breakout season in 2012, going 7-4 with 16 saves, 91 strikeouts and a 2.96 ERA in 67 relief appearances. He assumed closing duties when Jonathan Broxton, who began the season as the team's closer, was traded to the Cincinnati Reds in July 31. He also pitched in two games at the minor league level that year.
In 2013 Holland sustained his best season in the majors. He became the Royals full time closer and converted 47 of 50 save Opportunities. On September 26th 2013, Holland set the Royals single season saves record with his 46th save in a 3-2 win over the Chicago White Sox. He surpassed Dan Quisenberry and Jeff Montgomery whom both had 45 save seasons.
References
External links
- Career statistics and player information from MLB, or Baseball-Reference, or The Baseball Cube, or Baseball-Reference (Minors)
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