A closer look at the four A’s prospects in the Top 100

Right-hander Grant Holmes makes the list at No. 85.

Grant Holmes was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers out of high school in the 22nd round of the 2014 draft and was signed for $2 million.

He was pitching for the Dodgers’ High Class-A affiliate the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes in 2016, was doing quite well going 8-4 in 20 appearances 18 of which were starts and was considered to be a part of the future of the Dodgers.

Then suddenly he became a part of the Athletics organization, along with fellow pitchers Frankie Montas and Jharel Cotton, in the move that sent outfielder Josh Reddick and starting pitcher Rich Hill south to Los Angeles.

He made the transition to the A’s High Class-A Stockton Ports, also in the California League like the Quakes, fairly easily. He only made six appearances for the Ports, five starts, and posted a higher ERA (6.91) than he did with the Quakes (4.02) but his work with the Ports was a much smaller sample size which can make a big difference.

Overall a ground-ball pitcher, Holmes has amid-90’s plus fastball that has some major sinking action. His go-to strikeout pitch has the movement of a curveball but the velocity of a slider which is just made to confound hitters.

His changeup currently needs work but once he’s mastered that he has the makings of a middle of the rotation starter.

Holmes who will be 21 next month is slated to be MLB ready in 2018.