If there’s one thing keeping the Atlanta Braves from going into a full-on tailspin this season, it’s been the starting rotation—and a big piece of that unexpected stability. That one thing is Grant Holmes.
Yes, the same guy who waited a decade to throw a pitch in the big leagues. The 28-year-old finally got his shot in 2024 and made it count. And now, in 2025, despite a few hiccups, he’s proving he belongs in the Braves’ long-term plans. In a year where the bullpen is leaking runs like a sieve and the bats have gone cold, Holmes is quietly turning in one of the better stories on this roster.
A Late Bloomer with Bite
Holmes finally made his MLB debut in 2024—ten years after being drafted. And he wasn’t just a feel-good cameo. He delivered a 3.56 ERA over 68.1 innings with 70 strikeouts and only 15 walks. Whiff rate? Elite. Chase rate? Exceptional. Command? Tight. Barrel percentage? Low. This wasn’t a fluke—it was refined, deliberate pitching from a guy who spent years grinding through the minors.
Here in 2025, the ride has gotten a little bumpier, but not disastrously so. He’s started 11 games, tossed 64.1 innings, and holds a 3.78 ERA. For a back-end starter, that’s gold. But dig deeper, and you’ll see some regression in swing-and-miss metrics as hitters have started adjusting. Still, Holmes remains above average in both strikeouts and groundballs—a key recipe for staying afloat when your stuff isn’t at its peak.
Grant Holmes’ Supreme Slider
One pitch, though, is definitely working. Holmes’ slider has become a genuine weapon. He induced 47 whiffs with the pitch in May alone—more than Chris Sale. That’s not just a highlight—that’s a statement. Opponents are hitting just .144 against the slider this season, with a 25.4% putaway rate and an RPM spike from 2,736 to 2,836. That’s elite-level spin. And 33 of his 64 strikeouts? You guessed it: slider.
This is a guy who knows what pitch to trust when the heat’s on. He’s evolved from a guy trying to miss bats into one who’s doing it routinely with a pitch that’s as crisp as they come.
Walks, Homers, and the Workload Wall
Of course, no one’s pretending it’s all perfect. Holmes is issuing more free passes—27 walks this season compared to 15 last year—and the long ball has crept in. He’s allowed 11 homers already after just seven all of last year.
Those aren’t huge red flags yet, but with Holmes nearing his career high in innings pitched, durability and fatigue are things to watch. The question isn’t whether he can be a big leaguer anymore—it’s whether he can hold up for a full 162.
Still, let’s not miss the forest for the trees. Holmes has shown he can battle through adversity. Teams have a hard time stringing together hits against him, and if he can reduce the solo shots and limit the walks, we’re not just talking about a solid fifth starter—we’re talking about a sneaky breakout candidate.
Silver Linings in a Stormy Braves Season
At 27-34, the Braves have had more than their share of heartbreaks this season. In the middle of all that, Grant Holmes is giving them exactly what they need: consistent, quality innings at the back end of the rotation.
He’s not flashy, but he’s effective. He’s the kind of pitcher who helps you survive the tough stretches, eat innings, and stay in games long enough for the offense to show up.
And who knows? If he keeps refining that slider and finds a little more command, Grant Holmes might just become more than a feel-good story—he might become a rotation mainstay in Atlanta.
