The Colorado Rockies had their potential franchise cornerstone fall into their laps, as they selected Stillwater High School infielder Ethan Holliday with the fourth-overall pick in the first round of the 2025 MLB Draft.

Holliday was expected to go in the top four selections of the draft, but when the Washington Nationals and Los Angeles Angels made surprising under-slot picks with Fort Cobb-Broxton, Oklahoma, shortstop Eli Willits and University of California, Santa Barbara right-handed pitcher Tyler Bremner respectively, the Rockies had a clear shot at the prospect topping their draft board.

Holliday is ranked as the no. 1 overall draft prospect per MLB Pipeline and was linked to the Rockies in a number of mock drafts.

One of the best raw left-handed power bats in the draft, Holliday has a 65-rated power tool paired with a solid hit tool. The 18-year-old is 6’4’’ and 210 pounds, resembling his father Matt. Matt Holliday was drafted by the Rockies in the seventh round of the 1998 draft and grew into a seven-time All-Star and four-time Silver Slugger.

Holliday enters the Rockies organization as a shortstop, but with his big body, he will likely be sized out of the position. With good footwork and a strong arm, he has the tools to become a quality defender at third base. He could also potentially play left field like his father.

With the Rockies at the ground floor of a potentially lengthy rebuild, the organization will pin their hopes on the son of a Rocktober legend in hopes of finding Rocktober yet again in future.

After Day 1 of the draft had ended, Senior Director of Scouting Operations Marc Gustafson and Vice President and Assistant General Manager of Scouting Danny Montgomery took questions from media about what Holliday brings to the Rockies.

“When he became available, you can only imagine the excitement that we had in our draft room,” Gustafson said.

However, Montgomery was clear that the Rockies see Holliday as a shortstop, despite his size.

“He’s going to be stronger, he’s bigger, stronger than Jackson [Holliday], and he’s going to be a big kid, and still probably got some more growth to him, but our plans are to put him at shortstop,” Montgomery said.

The Rockies especially like Holliday’s potential at the plate.

“I’ve not scouted a high schooler that’s ever displayed that type of power to all fields,” Gustafson said.

“I think this guy has a feel for hitting, which we need,” Montgomery added.