Ethan Holliday, Rockies' first-round pick, gets record signing bonus for high schooler

Patrick Saunders, The Denver Post on Jul 22, 2025

Published in Baseball

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DENVER — The Rockies got their young man, then they paid him.

Stillwater High School (Okla.) shortstop Ethan Holliday, the fourth overall pick in this month’s MLB draft, signed with the Rockies for $9 million on Tuesday, according to MLB Pipeline. Holliday’s signing bonus is a record for a high school player, surpassing shortstop Eli Willits, whom the Nationals signed to an $8.2 million bonus after picking him first overall this year.

Holliday is scheduled to begin playing soon in the Arizona Complex League.

Holliday’s older brother, Jackson, now the starting shortstop for the Orioles, signed with Baltimore for a then-record $8.19 million after he was taken first overall in 2022.

Ethan, 18, was MLB Pipeline’s No. 1 prospect in the draft. His father, Matt, a seven-time All-Star with the Rockies and Cardinals, also went to Stillwater High. So did Jackson.

Last summer, Colorado signed outfielder/first baseman Charlie Condon to a $9.25 million signing bonus. Condon, out of the University of Georgia, was the No. 3 overall pick in the draft. Condon is now playing first base for Double-A Hartford.

Marquez injury update

There’s good news and bad news for right-handed starter German Marquez.

The good: An MRI showed tendinitis of his right biceps tendon but no structural damage to his shoulder.

The bad: Marquez will miss his next scheduled start and is almost certainly headed to the 15-day injured list. The timing is bad because Marquez, who will become a free agent at the end of this season, is a prime trade candidate as the July 31 deadline nears.

Marquez, who missed nearly all of the 2023 and ’24 seasons because of an elbow injury/surgery, said he was relieved by the diagnosis. He pitched Sunday against Minnesota and lasted only three innings. Clearly out of sync, he walked four, including three leadoff walks.

“I’ve never had a shoulder injury,” he said, admitting that the injury worried him. “That wasn’t me (on Sunday). I was throwing 91-92 (mph). I was grinding.”

Marquez said there is nothing he can do about a potential trade.

“I can control what I can control,” Marquez said. “I just need to get hold of this and keep pitching.”

Marquez does not have a timetable for his return, but he began taking anti-inflammatory medication on Monday, and he said it’s helped ease his discomfort.

Marquez’s season started rough as he struggled with pitch command. He had an 8.78 ERA through May 17. But over his last 11 starts, he’s posted a 3.55 ERA with 52 strikeouts and 19 walks.