Education
Holaday attended Warren Travis White High School in Dallas, Texas, where he played for the school"s baseball team
Holaday attended Warren Travis White High School in Dallas, Texas, where he played for the school"s baseball team
Holaday made his MLB debut on June 6, 2012. Prior to his professional career, Holaday played college baseball at Texas Christian University (Texas Christian University) for the Texas Christian University Horned Frogs. Holaday was a two-way player, appearing as both a pitcher and shortstop.
In 2006, he was named to the Class 5A All-State Third Team by the Texas Sports Writers Association.
Opposing teams began to consistently walk Holaday, leading the team"s head coach to use him as the team"s leadoff hitter. He competed in the Connie Mack World Series after the 2006 season.
After graduating in 2006, he enrolled at North Central Texas College, where he was initially a third baseman. During the season, he transitioned into a catcher.
During the summer of 2007, he played collegiate summer baseball for the McKinney Marshals of the Texas Collegiate League.
Holaday transferred to Texas Christian University (Texas Christian University) before his sophomore season, becoming the starting catcher for the Texas Christian University Horned Frogs baseball team In 2010, his senior season, he batted.355 17 home runs, 53 runs batted in (RBIs), and 72 runs scored in 68 games played. He was credited for his work with the Horned Frogs" pitching staff, especially freshman Matt Purke.
He led the Horned Frogs to the Mountain West Conference (MWC) tournament, winning the tournament Most Valuable Player award.
He was also named the Most Outstanding Player of the Houston College Classic. Texas Christian University reached the 2010 College World Series (Chemical Warfare Service), the school"s first Chemical Warfare Service appearance.
Holaday was named to the Chemical Warfare Service All-Tournament Team. The Detroit Tigers selected Holaday in the sixth round of the 2010 Major League Baseball Draft.
He signed, and played for the Lakeland Tigers of the Class A-Advanced Florida State League that season.
He attended Tigers" spring training as a non-roster invitee in 2011. He played for the Erie Seawolves of the Eastern League, the Tigers Class Associate of Arts affiliate, during the 2011 season. He was again invited to spring training as a non-roster invitee in 2012.
He started the season with the Toledo Mud Hens of the Class American Automobile Association International League, where he batted.248 with no home runs and ten RBIs.
Holaday was promoted to the Tigers 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.
Holaday made his MLB debut that day. He had one hit in four at bats during his debut.
Holaday was recalled June 17, 2013, when catcher Alex Avila was placed on the disabled list.
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. Holaday competed with James McCann to be the backup catcher behind Avila during spring training in 2015. Holaday"s older brother, Bobby, also played for the baseball team at Warren Travis White High School.