Greg Holland's journey in Major League Baseball is characterized by his role as a reliable relief pitcher, primarily known for his time with the Kansas City Royals. Born on November 20, 1985, in Morganton, North Carolina, Holland attended McDowell High School before playing college baseball at Western Carolina University. His talent on the mound caught the attention of scouts, leading to his selection by the Kansas City Royals in the 10th round of the 2007 MLB Draft.
Holland made his MLB debut with the Royals on August 2, 2010. Initially, he served in various bullpen roles, but his potential as a closer soon became evident. By 2011, he had established himself as a crucial component of the Royals' bullpen, posting impressive statistics that highlighted his ability to strike out batters and maintain a low earned run average (ERA).
The 2013 season marked a turning point in Holland's career. He was named the Royals' closer and delivered an outstanding performance, recording 47 saves with a 1.21 ERA and 103 strikeouts in 67 innings. His efforts earned him a spot on the American League All-Star team, and he finished ninth in the Cy Young Award voting. Holland's dominance continued into the 2014 season, where he played a vital role in the Royals' journey to the World Series. Although the team fell short against the San Francisco Giants, Holland's postseason performance was commendable, as he recorded seven saves and maintained a 0.82 ERA.
In 2015, Holland was again instrumental in the Royals' success, helping the team secure the World Series title against the New York Mets. Despite battling injuries, he managed to save 32 games during the regular season. However, his season was cut short due to a torn ulnar collateral ligament, which required Tommy John surgery and sidelined him for the entire 2016 season.
After recovering from surgery, Holland signed with the Colorado Rockies in 2017. He made a remarkable comeback, leading the National League with 41 saves and earning his third All-Star selection. His performance helped the Rockies reach the postseason, although they were eliminated in the National League Wild Card Game.
Holland's career continued with several teams, including the St. Louis Cardinals, Washington Nationals, and Arizona Diamondbacks. While he experienced varying levels of success, his ability to close games remained a valuable asset. In 2020, Holland returned to the Royals, where he delivered a solid performance in the pandemic-shortened season, recording six saves with a 1.91 ERA.
The 2021 season saw Holland continue with the Royals, though his performance was less consistent compared to his earlier years. Despite this, he remained a respected figure in the bullpen, providing veteran leadership and experience to younger pitchers.
Throughout his career, Greg Holland was known for his effective use of a fastball-slider combination, which kept hitters off balance and contributed to his high strikeout rates.
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