LSU ace Luke Holman filling big shoes well so far

Following the 2023 college baseball season during which pitcher Paul Skenes posted unprecedented numbers as the SEC as well as National Pitcher of the Year, it was recognized that his transfer from Air Force was more a minor success. Skenes was selected No. 1 overall by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the Major League Baseball Draft.

Could the 2024 baseball Tigers feature a similar success story?

Luke Holman currently paces the SEC with a 4-0 record, racking up 40 strikeouts in 24 innings. He has allowed just eight hits, walking four while limiting opponents to a mere .103 batting average with a 0.00 ERA.

The Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania native who turned 21 years old in January was the Friday ace last season for Alabama. The 6-foot-4, 201 pounder was the 172nd overall prospect for the MLB Draft, eventually selected in the 20th round by the Toronto Blue Jays

During his second season in Tuscaloosa, Holman made 15 starts, pitching 81 innings with a 7-4 record, 87 strikeouts, and a 3.67 ERA.

Strangely, it was a scheduled start against LSU in 2023 that ultimately led to his path to the Tigers.

Pencilled in to start April 28 against Paul Skenes at Alex Box, Holman was a gameday scratch by Crimson Tide head coach Brad Bohannon. What happened after that decision led to Bohannon’s in-season firing amid a gambling scandal.

Holman began looking for a new college baseball home, with Mississippi State, Tennessee and LSU emerging as his favored options. He eyed the Intimidator billboard in right field at Alex Box, listing LSU’s seven national titles including the most recent College World Series triumph over the summer. He also had a face-to-face meeting with LSU head coach Jay Johnson to seal the deal.

“He’s awesome, he wanted me,” Holman noted about Johnson. “After I hit the portal, he was there every day. Knowing that I was wanted by someone like him was quite an honor.”

The facilities and culture of LSU baseball have been fully embraced.

The coaching here is unmatched. After we were done (at Alabama), I was kind of watching LSU and the way they were playing, the way they were coached. I would love to be coached that way. My attention then got drawn to LSU.”

He’s been able to utilize what LSU has to offer to sharpen his already special skills. Holman cites the resources as being the best.

“LSU’s got everything. It’s only an excuse if you don’t get better here,” he stated. “The weight training and nutrition is amazing. Nutrition is probably the biggest thing to a pitcher, staying healthy. There is everything here.”

The comparisons to a special prospect like Skenes are a good sign for Holman. The latter’s numbers have compared favorably at the same point in the season as Skenes’ 2023 efforts.

“Luke’s a great pitcher. He’s one of the best pitchers in the country. We’re very thankful he’s here and I think everybody is starting to see what we knew when we brought him here. He’s a true ace and a Friday starter,” boasted Johnson.

The junior right-hander has polish and a five-pitch mix.

“Fastball command to all four quadrants, curve ball, slider, change up,” Johnson continued. “It’s in and out, up and down, changing speeds. It’s a lot, trust me. As an offensive coach, it’s a lot to deal with.”

Against nationally-ranked Texas in the Astros Foundation Classic at Minute Maid Park, the Tigers came away with a 6-3 decision over the Longhorns. Holman struck out 12 batters in 5.2 scoreless frames, attacking the opposition with a fastball in the low 90’s and a disarming slider.

Holman’s fastball normally sits in the 92-96 mph range with great command. It rides at the top of the zone with a good vertical break. The slider in the low 80’s has good depth. He can bring a curve ball with good velocity and his changeup in the mid 80’s has fade. He can also throw a splitter with tumbling action.

In latest outing against Xavier, Holman threw six scoreless innings with 97 pitches (59 strikes) and 10 punch outs. He has a NCBWA National Player of the Month honor among his early season awards.

Tonight for Luke Holman, MLB's No. 35 Draft prospect:

6 IP
0 H
2 BB
10 K

Scouting grades & more: https://t.co/UzypYo0OAA

(🎥: @LSUbaseball)

pic.twitter.com/NizDytEKNf

— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) March 9, 2024

“I want to build up my body, throw a little harder, put on some weight and continue to perfect all of my pitches,” the improving Holman noted. “Everyone’s goal is always to be a Friday night starter. I’ll do what’s best for the team, Saturday, Sunday, it doesn’t matter. Whatever helps the team.”

The best could be yet to come.

“He’s about as good of a pitcher as I’ve ever had in terms of executing, feel and those types of things,” Jonhson explained, although he admits Skenes with his immense arm talent was in a league of his own.

These days, Holman is grateful each time he puts on his LSU baseball uniform.

“Staying in the SEC is really where I wanted to be, coming here and playing in front of the best fans and best culture in college baseball.”