MLB's Rockies Give $9 Million to High Schooler Ethan Holliday in Record Deal

The Colorado Rockies rewarded high school baseball star Ethan Holliday with a record bonus after selecting him in the MLB Draft earlier this month. 

Holliday, 18, signed for a $9 million bonus with the Rockies on Tuesday, July 22, the biggest bonus received by a high school player in draft history.

The figure is tied for the fourth-highest bonus of all time.

Holliday, selected with the 4th overall pick by the Rockies in the July 14 draft, is the son of former Rockies star Matt Holliday and the younger brother of Baltimore Orioles infielder Jackson Holliday, who was selected with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 MLB Draft. 

Ethan is currently a senior at Stillwater High School in Stillwater, Oklahoma. 

In an interview with ESPN after being selected by the Rockies, Ethan said he was “super juiced” to join his dad’s former organization. 

“It’s an incredible feeling,” he continued. “This opportunity is unbelievable. I’m so grateful. The Rockies organization is really incredible.” 

In a separate interview with MLB Network at the Draft, Ethan said, “I wouldn’t sit here and say it’s all been easy.”

“But also, I’m so blessed to be able to play baseball,” he continued. “If the hardest thing in my life is expectations and pressure, then I’m going to wake up super grateful every single day. The people that pour into my life, the people that are supporting me, that’s one of the main reasons why I can do what I love.”

Ethan recently explained how his father — who played a total of six seasons with the Rockies in addition to stints with the Oakland Athletics, St. Louis Cardinals and New York Yankees — and brother Jackson, 21, have helped him mentally prepare for the journey ahead. 

“Jackson always says to enjoy the process and enjoy the people around you,” Ethan told Men’s Health last month. “I will never get this time back. Baseball comes with a high failure rate — you’ve got to expect adversity but keep going. My dad says, ‘Keep your circle tight and your mindset steady.’” 

In January, Ethan signed a historic NIL (Name, Image and Likeness) deal with Adidas. While specific financial details weren’t announced, he didn’t waste any time spending some of his earnings. 

“I’m a shoe guy, so, yes — I definitely grabbed a few extra pairs,” he told Men’s Health.

He told the outlet his goal for the coming year is to “become more consistent with my routine.”

“Success comes from what you do repeatedly,” Ethan explained. “So I’m working on streamlining my habits that will help me improve my game.”