July 17, 2024
Right-handed pitcher Holden Wilkerson was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays’ in the 18th round out of VMI. Wilkerson, who was part of VMI’s starting rotation in 2024; talks about what he liked best about his starting role.
“I liked feeling the confidence of the team knowing I was going to go out there and do everything I could to help the team win,” stated Wilkerson. “It was nice knowing when I was throwing, it helped me secure a routine of what I needed to do.”
Making four starts in 2024, Wilkerson fanned 29 batters in his 18 1/3 innings of work.
He currently uses a four-pitch mix of: a 4-seam fastball, a curveball, a slider, and a changeup.
Wilkerson feels his curveball tunnels well off his fastball, “I think my curveball tunnels well off my fastball,” explained Wilkerson. “So, I like to work the fastball up in the zone and try to run the curveball off of that.”
The righty also likes having two breaking balls in his repertoire to use in different ways.
“I like the ability of having one move more to my glove side,” said Wilkerson. “It kind of gets people off of my other pitches – that would be the slider. I like having the curveball to throw in the dirt, to get swing and miss at the bottom of the zone.”
Flying to Dunedin on Friday, Wilkerson is excited to start this new chapter of his baseball career.
“I’m super excited to have access to the resources the Toronto Blue Jays’ do have,” explained Wilkerson. “A lot of what I don’t have at Virginia Military Institute. I’m really excited to get my hands on technology, great coaching, nutrition, and everything like that.”
Welcome to the Toronto Blue Jays’ organization, Holden Wilkerson!