The Colorado Rockies have inked a milestone deal with Ethan Holliday, the No. 4 pick in the 2025 MLB Draft, securing his talents for a cool $9 million. This figure doesn’t just edge past the slot value of $8,770,900 for his draft position—it’s the biggest signing bonus ever awarded to a high school player, pushing boundaries and setting new records in the process.
Holliday, an 18-year-old sensation, was the consensus top-ranked prospect in this year’s draft. But despite lofty expectations, he found himself still available for the Rockies at pick number four. The Washington Nationals had earlier scooped up another Oklahoma high school standout, shortstop Eli Willits, with the No. 1 pick, opting for a deal reportedly falling under the $8.2 million slot.
This deal puts Holliday in an elite circle, matching the fourth-highest bonus ever given in MLB draft history alongside Dylan Crews of the Nationals, who joined the big leagues in 2023 straight out of LSU. In a move echoing last year, the Rockies also splashed significant cash on Charlie Condon, a college powerhouse, with a hefty $9.25 million.
Baseball seems to run through the Holliday veins, with Ethan stepping up as the third member of his family to be drafted—and the second to achieve a first-round selection. His older brother, Jackson, paved the way when he was chosen first overall by the Orioles in 2022, a pick that came with a then-record $8.19 million signing bonus for a high school player. Their father, Matt Holliday, laid the groundwork in 1998 as a seventh-round pick with the Rockies, marking the start of what would be a six-season stint in Colorado during his impressive 15-year MLB career.
The Rockies have demonstrated a bold commitment to young talent, laying firm foundations for the future. By betting big on Holliday, they’re not just investing in a promising player—they’re banking on the continuation of a family legacy steeped in baseball excellence. Fans and analysts alike will be eager to see how Ethan’s journey unfolds as he joins the Majors, carrying both his family’s proud tradition and the hopes of a franchise on his promising shoulders.
