While offense may grab most of the headlines, there will always be value in speed and defense. A couple of years ago, the Astros signed an undrafted free agent following the draft who perfectly fits that mold. Infielder Max Holy has steadily developed into one of the more intriguing utility-type prospects in the system and is putting together a strong 2026 campaign.
Initially attending Iowa Central Community College, Holy eventually transferred to University of Central Missouri, where he played for two years before signing with the Astros. In his junior season, he hit .364 with 14 home runs and 33 stolen bases. His route to professional baseball, from junior college to Division II, is fairly unique.
“Just overcoming adversity,” Holy said when asked what he has learned from his route to pro ball. “There were years at JuCo, there was a year I failed there, year I would say I failed at D2 and just overcoming that, coming back next year stronger.”
Holy attended a draft workout with the Astros about a month or two before the draft, but then didn’t hear from them again until immediately afterward, when Houston quickly signed him.
Adjustments are part of the game, and given the route Holy has taken to pro ball, he has constantly had to adapt.
“I think just playing every day and knowing you’re going to get a really good arm like every single day at some point,” Holy said. “Just learning to shorten the bad days and just keep plugging along. It’s a long season, you’re gonna have bad days but just taking it one day at a time.”
The Astros have consistently shown a willingness to make adjustments to players’ swings and overall offensive approaches throughout the minor league system, and those changes appear to be paying off for Holy. He has looked more comfortable at the plate this season with a better overall approach, which has helped him take another step forward offensively.
“I think just swinging, having a better approach and being aggressive,” Holy said about the improvements Astros player development has helped him make. “Just the approach and being more aggressive.”
Those adjustments have paid off this season, with Holy hitting a combined .276 with an .804 OPS across 38 games between High-A and Double-A.
While Holy doesn’t provide a ton of power at the plate, he has consistently posted above-average walk rates, including an 18.1% walk rate in 2026. With his speed, he’s also able to turn walks into multiple bases consistently.
“I take a lot of pride in that,” Holy said in reference to getting on base. “We have guys in this lineup, they’re gonna it, they’re gonna drive you in so if I can find a way on base and help them out they’ll help me out.”
With the improvements Holy has made and his strong start to the 2026 season, he recently earned a spot on Baseball America’s updated Top 30 Astros prospects list. The publication graded both his speed and defense at 70 on the 20-80 scouting scale, giving him plus-plus tools in two areas that can have a major impact on the game.
“I take the most pride in my game on defense and making sure my pitchers, teammates, and coaches know they have a solid defender at shortstop,” Holy said.
But defense didn’t always come naturally for him. During one of his junior college seasons, Holy committed 28 errors at shortstop. However, that difficult season ultimately became a turning point in his development. Holy said the struggles forced him to take greater pride in the defensive side of the game, and the extra work he put in afterward has helped transform defense into one of the strongest aspects of his profile today.
Now armed with an elite defensive profile and plus speed, Holy has positioned himself as a legitimate prospect and someone Astros fans should keep a close eye on moving forward. If the offensive improvements continue, his combination of athleticism, versatility, and defense could give him a real path to impacting the major league roster in the future.
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