Vanderbilt pitcher Carter Holton joins Braves in MLB draft

Holton started 41 career games with a 4.10 ERA. He was named a Freshman All-American in 2022 when he posted a 3.14 ERA in 15 starts and became the first freshman in program history to start a regional opener. But his ERA increased each year thereafter: first to 4.11 in an injury-shortened 2023 season and then to 5.19 in 2024.

As a junior, Holton was fourth among SEC qualified pitchers with 12.7 strikeouts per nine innings and made five quality starts, but he also allowed five or more runs in five of his 15 outings.

Holton can hit 96 mph with his fastball, though he typically runs around 93-94. In his penultimate outing of the season against Kentucky on May 17, Holton showed diminished velocity and was ineffective. After sitting out the SEC Tournament, he returned to pitch in relief in the regional tournament against High Point. His velocity was back to normal, but he allowed two walks in 1⅓ innings and took the loss.