The Cincinnati Reds have signed free agent outfielder and former Arkansas star Peyton Holt to a minor league deal, assigning him to their Low-A affiliate in Daytona. While Holt isn’t widely known, he delivered what may have been the most unforgettable moment of the 2024 college baseball season.
During a late April game between Holt’s No. 2-ranked Arkansas Razorbacks and the Florida Gators, Arkansas held a narrow 6-5 lead in the top of the eighth inning. With one out and the bases loaded, Florida catcher Brody Donay stood just 90 feet from home, needing only a deep fly ball to the outfield to even the score.
LEGENDARY DEKE BY PEYTON HOLT pic.twitter.com/rGyqnEkycx
— Arkansas Baseball (@RazorbackBSB) April 27, 2024
Reds quietly sign viral college star Peyton Holt who presented the baseball world with an unforgettable highlight
Florida got exactly what it needed when shortstop Colby Shelton launched a ball to deep center field. As the catch was made, all Donay had to do was dash home. But Arkansas’ Holt had other plans.
The Razorbacks’ centerfielder pulled off a clever fake, pretending he hadn’t caught the ball. This deceived Donay into taking off toward the plate before Holt secured it in his glove. Forced to scramble back to third to properly tag up, Donay was too late.
Holt officially made the catch for the second out, then fired the ball to third base, where it was quickly relayed to home. The catcher applied the tag just in time, ending the inning. The broadcast was left in disbelief, calling it “the ultimate deke.”
Despite an impressive senior season at Arkansas — where he hit .322 with a .412 on-base percentage and .507 slugging percentage, adding eight home runs and 27 RBIs — Holt went undrafted. He wrapped up his college career with a strong .969 OPS.
Before joining the Reds, Holt played for the Kansas City Monarchs in the American Association of Professional Baseball. Now 24, he’s getting his shot to chase the dream of reaching the majors as he begins his journey through the Reds’ farm system.
Be the first to comment