Bulldog RHP Colby Holcombe drafted by Blue Jays in ninth round of MLB Draft
Colby Holcombe was drafted in the 9th round of Monday’s MLB Draft.
The former First-Team All-American in the junior college ranks, Holcombe has had a load of potential and will have a chance to showcase it for the Toronto Blue Jays. The organization took Holcombe in the ninth round with the 277th pick.
Holcombe starts his career after posting a 9.05 ERA in 30 appearances in Starkville over the course of two seasons. He was 3-3 with four starts and gave up 58 earned runs in 57.2 innings with 54 walks and 77 strikeouts.
While runs surrendered was an issue for Holcombe over his career, he did improve his strike throwing under pitching coach Justin Parker this year. Holcombe went from 42 walks in 36.0 innings just 12 in 21.2 this year. He struck out 28 batters in 2024 but surrendered 25 runs in 21.2 frames.
It was a tough two seasons, but Holcombe was a highly-touted JUCO prospect in 2022. The big 6’6 hurler was the MACCC Pitcher of the Year after he went 7-3 with a 2.60 ERA and a school-record 115 strikeouts in 65.2 innings pitched. That run made him a draft risk that season but he would show up to Starkville.
Holcombe entered the transfer portal recently, but the RHP is likely to just move on to the next level at this point after his selection. His slot value is over $190,000.
Holcombe is the sixth State player that has been drafted to this point as he joins BHP Jurrangelo Cijntje, RHP Khal Stephen, RHP Nate Dohm, OF Dakota Jordan and RHP Brooks Auger among the drafted. State has also had two signees taken in OF Dante Nori and two-way player Conrad Cason.
