ARLINGTON, Texas ----- Brad Holman, a member of the first Auburn Montgomery baseball team and four-year letterwinner from 1987-90, was recently named the bullpen coach for the Texas Rangers.
Holman, a NAIA Honorable Mention All-American in 1990, was called up to the big leagues following a three-year stint as the pitching coach for the Round Rock Express, the Rangers Triple-A affiliate.
"The opportunity to fulfill a dream and career goal is a dream come true," Holman said. "It is surreal feeling reaching the majors, but I still have room for growth and would like to keep working to ultimately become a major league pitching coach."
During his four years with the then-Senators, Holman recorded a 20-16 record in 62 career appearances on the mound. He struck out 224 hitters in 282 2/3 innings and recorded 3.37 career earned run average. He also had one save.
Holman enjoyed his best season with the team during the 1990 season, when he finished 10-6 with a 2.92 ERA and 107 strikeouts. He helped the team to the national championship game and a 40-25 record in only the programs fourth season of competition. Looking back, he holds the opportunity and mentorship provided by former head coach Q.V. Lowe near and dear.
"I will forever be grateful to Coach Lowe for providing me a scholarship and the opportunity to be on the first team at AUM," Holman continued. "From the struggles we endured as a first-year team to the successes we had reaching the national title game as seniors, playing baseball for AUM produced life-long friendships that are still strong today. I hold Coach Lowe in such high regard. Not only because of the way he taught us to play the game, but also the way he taught us to be men. He has had such a lasting impact on me personally. I try to emulate his coaching principles in my style."
Following his playing career, Holman was selected in the 35th round of the 1990 MLB Draft by the Kansas City Royals. He had a seven-year professional playing career and made his major league debut with the Seattle Mariners on June 4, 1993. During the 1993 season, Holman appeared in 19 games, posting a 1-3 record with a 3.72 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP. He struck out 17 hitters and notched three saves for the Mariners.
In the previous three seasons with the Express, Holman led the team to a 4.36 team ERA during his tenure. In addition, he was selected the co-recipient of the Bobby Jones Player Development Man of the Year in 2013. He has coached in the Rangers system for seven years and had coaching stints in the Pittsburgh Pirates (2008) and Seattle Mariners (2002-07) organizations.
"We are extremely happy for Brad, his wife Stephanie, and their entire family," head coach Marty Lovrich said. "He always had such a strong work ethic and his knowledge of the game was second to none. He was a student of the game and that really showed with his success. We wish him nothing but the best and know there is no one more deserving of this opportunity."
Holman will join the 2016 Rangers coaching staff comprised of manager Jeff Banister, pitching coach Doug Brocail, hitting coach Anthony Iapoce, bench coach Steve Buechele, first base coach Hector Ortiz, third base coach Tony Beasley, field coordinator Jayce Tingler, assistant hitting coach Justin Mashore and replay coordinator Bobby Jones.
