Click here to discover the other 24 athletes in the Men's Health 25 , a celebration of the top athletes in the high school class of 2025.
PRESSURE IS A PRIVILEGE. Ethan Holliday, 18, says he first heard the phrase from a family friend, North Carolina State wrestling coach Zach Esposito (quoting Billie Jean King), when he was in high school, and hes made it his mantra. When your dad, Matt, was a seven-time All-Star outfielder with the St. Louis Cardinals, and your brother, Jackson, 21, was the number-one pick in the Major League Baseball 2022 draft, cracking the majors at age 20 with the Baltimore Orioles, the pressure to succeed on the diamond could be crushing. Holliday himself signed a NIL deal with Adidas, he is being lauded by scouts as a potential 35-home-run-a-year slugger with easy juice to all fields, and he sits atop ESPNs 2025 draft board. Pressure.
To stay humble amid the hype, Holliday leans on the privilege of a close family for supportdare we call the Hollidays the Mannings of MLB? Although hes committed to Oklahoma State University, his next stop is likely the big leagues, partly because hes a big dude. At 6'4" and 200 pounds, he has a smooth swing that drives the ball at exit velocities topping 110 mph, and he batted .611 with 19 home runs and 65 RBIs his senior year. Heres how Holliday embraces the privilege of being baseballs next big thing.
Joao Canziani
What tips has your dad or Jackson given you about being a top prospect? Jackson always says to enjoy the process and enjoy the people around you. I will never get this time back. Baseball comes with a high failure rateyouve got to expect adversity but keep going. My dad says, Keep your circle tight and your mindset steady.
How many hours a week do you train? During the season, I practice with my high school team six days a week. I lift three times a week and increase it to four in the offseason. I also train with a speed and agility coach several times a week in the offseason to keep my movement sharp.
Frenemy exercise? The sled push. Its sneaky toughI dont look forward to it, but I know it makes me better.
Workout tunes? I love music. One day I might be listening to Brandon Lake, and the next it could be reggae.
Favorite Fast Food? Chipotle.
Whats something people dont appreciate about what it takes to reach this level? The lonely workthe extra reps you put in when nobodys watching. Youve got to be the kind of guy who stays after practice to practice more.
Baseball comes with a HIGH FAILURE RATEyouve got to expect adversity but KEEP GOING.
Definition of strength? Strength is more than just physical. Its something that develops over time with self-awareness and intentional effort. You can be gifted at something, but strengthreal strengthis built.
Does social media inspire you or stress you out? Both, honestly. It has its downsides, but Ive learned when I need to take a break. I do enjoy staying connected with teammates from over the yearsthat part definitely inspires me.
Did you splurge on anything with your NIL money? Im a shoe guy, so, yesI definitely grabbed a few extra pairs, and so did my youngest brother!
Last book you read? A history book on Oklahomatrying to graduate!
Goal for next year? To become more consistent with my routine. Success comes from what you do repeatedly, so Im working on streamlining my habits that will help me improve my game.
Joao Canziania
Click here to discover the other 24 athletes in the Men's Health 25 , a celebration of the top athletes in the high school class of 2025.
This story appears in the July/August 2025 issue of Men's Health.
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