Greg Holland, Relief Pitcher


Date of Birth: 11/20/1985
Birthplace: Morganton, North Carolina
College: Western Carolina University

Greg Holland, relief pitcher, was drafted by the Kansas City Royals in 2007. He pitched in their minor league system from 2007 through most of 2010. He first joined the Royals in 2010, pitching 18.2 innings in 15 games.

Holland pitched 60.0 innings out of the Royals' bullpen in 2011. He finished the season with a 5-1 record and a 1.80 ERA. In 2012, he became the Royals' closer on July 31st. In his first season as a closer, he had 16 saves and a 2.96 ERA in 67 games.

Holland had his best season in 2013 when he had career highs in games played (68), saves (47), and strikeouts (103 to 18 walks). That season he also had a career low ERA of 1.21. He had another good season in 2014, winning the Mariano Rivera award for having a 1.44 ERA and 46 saves in 65 games.

As the Royals' closer in 2015, Holland had 32 saves, 49 strikeouts to 26 walks, and a 3.83 ERA in 44.2 innings in 48 games. He had Tommy John surgery in the beginning of October, 2015.

Holland became a free agent on December 2, 2015. He missed the entire 2016 season, recovering from his surgery.

Holland signed a one-year contract with the Colorado Rockies on January 28, 2017. He finished the 2017 season with 3 wins and 6 losses, 41 saves, 70 strikeouts to 26 walks, and a 3.61 ERA in 57.1 innings in 61 games. In the Wild Card game, he pitched 0.2 innings and he gave up 3 hits and 2 runs.

Holland was named the National League Comeback Player of the Year in 2017.

Holland elected free agency on November 4, 2017. He signed with the St. Louis Cardinals on March 31, 2018. He was released on August 1, 2018. He signed with the Washington Nationals on August 7th. He finished the 2018 season with 2 wins and 2 losses, 3 saves, 47 strikeouts to 32 walks, and a 4.66 ERA in 32 games with the Cardinals and 24 games with the Nationals.

Holland became a free agent on October 29, 2018. He signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks on January 31, 2019. He was released on August 9, 2019. He signed a minor league contract with the Nationals on August 12th. He finished the 2019 season with 1 win and 2 losses, 17 saves, 41 strikeouts to 24 walks, and a 4.54 ERA in 35.2 innings in 40 games with the Diamondbacks. He didn't play with the Nationals.

Holland became a free agent on November 4, 2019. He returned to the Royals on a minor league contract on February 2, 2020. He pitched in 28 games in 2020, and he finished the season with 3 wins and no losses, 31 strikeouts to 7 walks, 6 saves, and a 1.91 ERA in 28.1 innings.

Holland spent time on the IL in 2021 with right shoulder impingement syndrome. He finished the season with 8 saves, 53 strikeouts to 26 walks, and a 4.85 ERA in 55.2 innings in 57 games.

Holland became a free agent on November 3, 2021. He signed a minor league contract with the Texas Rangers on March 16, 2022. He elected free agency a month later, on April 21.

Career pitching statistics for Holland through 2021 include:

  • 551 games played
  • 543.0 innings pitched
  • 30-27 win-loss record
  • 220 saves
  • 672 strikeouts to 240 walks
  • 3.10 ERA

Personal Life

Holland and his wife Lacey's first child was born on October 1, 2014.

Sources for Information
Wikipedia - Greg Holland
ESPN - Greg Holland