October 19, 2009

Chris Nee
Warchant.com Staff

Fall baseball is underway, but for many of the Florida State players it won't be the first time they picked up a bat and played competitively since last season ended. For one Seminole in particular, junior Tyler Holt, his summer provided an incredible opportunity as he opted to play for Team USA instead of participating in the Cape Cod Baseball League.

"Team USA was an unbelievable experience," Holt said. "I think it is a bigger honor to play for your country. I feel like I can sacrifice the Cape to play for the country and represent what is on your chest."

During his run with Team USA, Holt batted .371 in 22 games. The junior centerfielder helped the United States to a 19-5 record over the summer including a tournament victory at the World Baseball Championships in British Columbia. In the championship game against Germany, Holt went 2-for-4 with a double, a run and two RBI.

For Holt, who will almost certainly opt for Major League Baseball following his junior season, some would say the Cape League is a better place to audition for the next level. Despite knowing that opinion, Holt said the experience of playing for Team USA was something he couldn't pass up.

"Not taking anything away from the Cape, and the scouts that they say go to the Cape that you are going to get seen better, if I didn't get seen with Team USA - tough luck," he said. "The experience was something I will never forget. I will pass up a year in the Cape to travel the world and play with a bunch of guys that are most likely going to be first rounders also."

Holt was part of a 22-man roster that included prospects from around the country and some familiar foes such as Clemson's Brad Miller and Miami's Yasmani Grandal. But it also included numerous players from the West Coast as well as Hawaii's Kolten Wong.

"Playing with those guys you get a different feel and get to see the competition that is out there," Holt said. "It was just unbelievable. I wish I could do it all over again but hopefully when I move on to bigger and better things I can play for Team USA again at the pro level."

Also, the camaraderie formed between players as well as their coaches, including head coach Rick Jones from Tulane, was something that Holt said cannot be replaced.

"I left with 25 new friends," Holt added. "I felt like I got so close with them, so fast. It is insane how around the country there are so many other guys who are better or equal to you. It was fun being around that kind of talent level, even if we didn't compete with each other that much once we began playing games."

While on the road with Team USA, he also got to experience a vacation of sorts. The trials and early games were in North Carolina. Then the team made their way to New Hampshire and Massachusetts. Following that they made their way to Japan for a series of games before wrapping up the tour in Canada by playing a series of games in British Columbia.

"I felt like I was on a bullet train, a plane, or a bus every other day. It was fun playing in all these different places. You get a different feel for everything that is out there," Holt said. "In the Cape it is like the same thing everyday, so this experience felt like a vacation. You get on a plane to somewhere else and don't know what to expect. It was a great experience. Definitely worth it."

With his summer now concluded and the fall semester in full swing, Holt has turned his focus to his junior season.

"Ever since summer ball ended I have been ready," Holt said. "I am a little nervous and I feel like I am getting a little ahead of myself with some things, which for some juniors is the kiss of death, so I have to slow things down and just get back to working hard and the roots and just play baseball. It is going to come to you. You can't stress, you just have to work hard and it will come to you."

Prior to June's Major League Baseball Draft, Holt will have to find an advisor and must also be concerned about where and who will draft him. Even though professional baseball is Holt's future, he insists he is more worried about the present. Plus, he has some unachieved goals he wants to accomplish before he worries about the future.

"You have to show yourself and then worry about it after the season," Holt said. "Plus, this is Florida State's year. I cannot think, nobody can think 'I-I-I', when it is basically a chance to win a National Championship. That is my biggest goal this year."

"Once things start going I will forget all about it until the end," Holt added.

Holt is coming off a sophomore campaign in which he led the team in hitting with a .401 average, collected 95 hits in 237 at-bats, recorded 87 runs, 54 walks, 34 stolen bases and had an on-base percentage of .520, the seventh highest recorded in school history. He was also one of just two players to start in all 63 games during the 2009 season. He also excelled in the field with .993 fielding percentage as he committed just one error in 142 fielding opportunities. As a result of his near perfection in the field, Holt was the recipient of the ABCA/Rawlings Gold Glove Award.

Despite losing numerous key players such as Jason Stidham, Tommy Oravetz, Jimmy Marshall, some may think this will be a rebuilding season, but don't tell that to Holt.

"We have a great group coming back," he said. "I feel like the guys we lost can be replaced, nothing against any of them, but like 11 says, once you leave you can get replaced. I feel like we have a good squad coming back, one that can compete for the title."

As is always the case with a young roster, leadership will be key and Holt will have more responsibility this season to set an example for the younger players.

"Not to sound cocky, but I have always been a leader," he said. "I have never been one to sit back and just let things happen. I am a fiery guy and that is how I have played since I was little, in all sports, if something good goes our way I tend to let people know about it."

"I feel like I am going to have to be more of a leader," Holt added. "I have to watch what I say, because there are no more underclassmen screw-ups, no back-talking anyone. I have to set a good example for these other guys. I just want to show these other guys how to play the game right."

When June rolls around, Holt hopes to be in Omaha and hoisting the National Championship Trophy.

"I honestly think this can be our year," he said. "The last year in Rosenblatt (Stadium), could be my last year, I am looking forward to this season and I just want to work harder than ever."

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