Ethan Holliday looks back on his freshman year with great nostalgia. During that time, he played third base at Stillwater High School in Oklahoma alongside Jackson Holliday, considered the best high school baseball player in America and also his brother. Jackson, who achieved a national record of 89 hits in a season and was named Baseball America’s High School Player of the Year in 2022, had MLB scouts closely monitoring his games.
Fast forward three years, and Ethan is now in a similar spotlight. As an 18-year-old shortstop, he has emerged as the top prospect for the 2025 MLB draft, gaining recognition as the Baseball America High School Player of the Year himself. Both Jackson and Ethan have become the first brothers to receive this prestigious honor.
“It’s awesome, getting to share something like that with your brother, who you are super close with,” Ethan expressed. “Baseball is a big part of our family’s life, so it’s a real honor to have this recognition.”
Their father, Matt Holliday, a seven-time MLB All-Star, finds the achievement surreal, recalling how Baseball America was a significant publication during his own youth. “It’s quite an honor for them and exciting for the family,” he noted.
Former Stillwater High baseball coach Marty Lees, who guided Ethan in his last two years at the school, noted incredible growth in Ethan’s leadership abilities. “He was always getting our kids together and trying to make them believe that they’re better than what they were,” Lees reflected. He confidently rated Ethan as the best player he has ever coached.
Ethan showcased impressive statistics this year, boasting a .611 batting average with 19 home runs, which resulted in many opposing teams opting to intentionally walk him during decisive games. This tactic drew respect from various coaches, prompting Ethan to focus on uplifting his teammates instead.
As the draft approaches, Ethan is focused on the opportunity rather than the pressure of being a potential No. 1 overall selection. He emphasized the excitement of hearing his name called, regardless of the draft position.
In a heartwarming note for the family, his father mentioned how logistically it would be ideal if the Washington Nationals or Baltimore Orioles made the selection, allowing them to be closer for support as Ethan embarks on his professional career.
Ethan also took a moment to extend support to his younger brother, Reid, who is several years away from high school. He hopes Reid enjoys baseball for the joy it brings, just as he and Jackson did at his age.
This story is a testament to family tradition and the power of passion in sports, embodying the shared journey of the Holliday siblings as they carve their paths in baseball.