Holaday attended W. T. White High School in Dallas,Texas,where he played for the school's baseball team.[1] Holaday was a two-way player,appearing as both a pitcher and shortstop.[2] In 2006,he was named to the Class 5A All-State Third Team by the Texas Sports Writers Association.[3] Opposing teams began to consistently walk Holaday,leading the team's head coach to use him as the team's leadoff hitter.[4] He competed in the Connie Mack World Series after the 2006 season.[5]
The Tigers promoted Holaday to the major leagues for the first time on June 6,2012,as the team added him to their 40-man roster due to injuries to starting catcher Alex Avila. He became the third position player selected in the 2010 draft to reach the majors,following Bryce Harper and Kole Calhoun.[18] Holaday made his MLB debut that day. He had one hit against Jeanmar Gomez in four at bats during his debut.[19]
Holaday was recalled June 17,2013,when catcher Alex Avila was placed on the disabled list.[20] For the season he batted .296/.367/.444. After the 2013 season,the Tigers informed backup catcher Brayan Peña they would not re-sign him,giving Holaday the opportunity to become the backup to Avila.[21] Holaday competed with James McCann to be the backup catcher behind Avila during spring training in 2015. McCann won the competition,and Holaday began the season in the minor leagues.[22] For the season in the majors,he batted .281/.292/.453.
Once again,Holaday entered spring training in 2016 competing for a backup role,this time with Jarrod Saltalamacchia. Despite losing the job,Holaday attracted large amounts of trade interest due to hitting .438/.455/.969 in 16 games and his lack of minor league options remaining.[23] In 4 seasons with the Tigers,Holaday hit .251/.283/.340 with 3 HR and 30 RBI in 108 games.
The Boston Red Sox claimed Holaday off of waivers on August 5,2016.[26] In 14 appearances for Boston,he went 7-for-33 (.212) with no home runs and one RBI. On December 2,the Red Sox non-tendered Holaday,making him a free agent.[27]
Philadelphia Phillies
On December 20,2016,Holaday signed a minor league deal with the Philadelphia Phillies.[28] After being informed that he would not make Philadelphia's roster to begin the season,Holaday opted out of his contract.[29]
Detroit Tigers (second stint)
On March 31,2017,the Tigers signed Holaday to a minor league contract and assigned him to the Toledo Mud Hens.[30] On September 1,the Tigers purchased Holaday's contract.[31] At the time of his call-up,Holaday was hitting .269 with 12 home runs and 50 RBI in 93 games for Toledo. He was outrighted to Triple-A on November 3,and elected free agency on November 7.[32]
Miami Marlins
On December 1,2017,Holaday signed a minor league contract with the Miami Marlins.[33] Holaday's contract was purchased by the Marlins on March 28,2018,after he made the team's Opening Day roster.[34] In 61 appearances for Miami,he slashed .205/.261/.258 with one home run and 16 RBI. On October 27,Holaday was removed from the 40-man roster and sent outright to the Triple-A New Orleans Baby Cakes.[35] He subsequently rejected the assignment and elected free agency.
On November 26,2018,Holaday re-signed with the Marlins on a minor league contract.[36] He was released on March 23,2019,after opting out of his contract.[37] However,Holaday re-signed with Miami on another minor league contract on March 26. On May 24,he was selected to the active roster after Chad Wallach suffered a concussion.[38] In 43 games for the Marlins,Holaday slashed .278/.344/.435 with four home runs and 12 RBI. On October 18,he was removed from the 40-man roster and sent outright to Triple-A,but elected free agency in lieu of the assignment.[39]
Baltimore Orioles
On January 13,2020,Holaday signed a minor league deal with the Baltimore Orioles that included an invitation to spring training.[40] On August 1,Holaday was selected to the active roster. In 2020 for the Orioles,Holaday slashed .161/.212/.194 with no home runs and four RBI.[41]
Arizona Diamondbacks
On January 11,2021,Holaday signed a minor league contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks organization.[42] On March 26,2021,Holaday was released by the Diamondbacks,but re-signed with the club on a new minor league contract the next day.[43] On July 3,Holaday was selected to the active roster.[44] Holaday appeared in 13 games for Arizona,hitting .194 with no home runs and one RBI. On August 29,Holaday was released by the Diamondbacks.[45]
On March 6,2022,Holaday announced his retirement from professional baseball via Instagram.[46]
Personal life
Holaday's older brother,Bobby,also played for the baseball team at Warren Travis White High School.[1]
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