The Cincinnati Reds They are taking over young shortstop Kyle Holder in an exchange with the Phillies, ESPN’s well-known journalist Jeff Passan reported (Twitter link). Both teams have officially announced the transaction and in return the cash amounts will go to the Phillies. The measure frees up a place in the selection of 40 men in Philadelphia, so the signing of Gregory learned by Phils could be officially announced soon.
The Yankees selected Holder with the 30th pick (first round) in the 2015 draft, and he went on to hit .264 / .317 / .350 over 1,744 at-bats in New York’s farming system. Holder then moved to the Phillies as a roster in the Dec. 5 Rule Draft, and under Rule 5, Holder will now have to remain on the Cincinnati active roster all season or the Reds will have to offer him back to the Yankees.
With Gregorius back in the fold, Holder was a replaceable role in Philadelphia, but could potentially play a bigger role for the Reds. Given the lack of depth from the Cincinnati shortstop, Holder could even be lining up for some action in the starting line-up unless the Reds add a more established infielder between now and Opening Day.
To that end, famed MLB.com reporter Jon Heyman tweeted that the Reds still hope to acquire Cleveland’s Amed Rosario, after reports linked Cincinnati with Rosario earlier this week.
While the 26-year-old 1.85-meter Holder hasn’t hit the minors much and hasn’t even played a Triple-A ball yet, he is a respected defender whose glove may already be Major League caliber. Braces.
Holder, a San Diego, California, Native has mainly played shortstop with the minors, but also had time on second and third base, so he could serve as a valuable resource in the Reds’ bench.