The Cincinnati Reds have signed free agent outfielder and former Arkansas standout Peyton Holt to a minor league contract, assigning him to Low-A Daytona. While not a widely known name, Holt delivered one of the most unforgettable highlights of the 2024 college baseball season.
The moment came in late April when No. 2-ranked Arkansas faced Florida. With the Razorbacks up 6-5 in the top of the eighth, one out, and the bases loaded, Florida catcher Brody Donay stood on third—poised to tie the game on a routine sacrifice fly.
Florida shortstop Colby Shelton delivered what seemed to be exactly that: a deep fly ball to center field. But Holt, manning center, had other plans. He faked making the catch, tricking Donay into prematurely breaking for home. Donay then had to scramble back to tag up as Holt secured the actual catch for the second out. He then fired the ball to third, where it was relayed to the plate in time for a dramatic tag and inning-ending double play. The play was instantly dubbed “the ultimate deke” by broadcasters.
Despite a strong senior season at Arkansas — where he hit .322 with a .412 on-base percentage, .507 slugging, eight home runs, and 27 RBIs, finishing with a .969 OPS — Holt went undrafted in 2023. He had most recently been playing with the Kansas City Monarchs in the independent American Association before catching on with Cincinnati.
Now 24, Holt will begin his pro journey with the Reds, aiming to climb the ranks of the organization and turn his viral college moment into the start of a major league career.
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