Holt is flying under the radar, but he is considered a big leaguer in the making.
FORT MYERS, Fla, - When Red Sox manager John Farrell made his well-reported "glimpse of the future'' comment Thursday, he referenced three players, not two.
The headliners were Xander Bogaerts and Jackie Bradley, Jr. They are to this training camp what "Gangnam Style'' was to pop music in 2012, a phenomenon that has taken its world by storm.
But Farrell also made passing mention to Brock Holt, who came in the deal that also brought Joel Hanrahan from Pittsburgh.
Now as then, Holt is flying under the radar, but he is considered a big leaguer in the making.
His main position is second base, and Dustin Pedroia is not going anywhere. The Red Sox are also working out Holt at shortstop, and they like what he offers.
"I didn't know my name was being talked about in the trade. I didn't expect it,'' said Holt, 24, a lefty swinger who hit .292 for the Pirates in 2012, when he played 24 games with 72 at-bats as a rookie.
"I know some of the guys who are here from playing against them. This has been a good experience,'' he said.
Holt valued his experience with the Pirates. Trading him went against their normal policy of keeping young players.
"It was a good experience, getting to the big league level. I learned a lot from it,'' he said.
Playing shortstop and batting second, Holt went 1-for-3 with an RBI in Thursday's 11-1 win over Boston College.
"It was good to see live pitching, without the screen and all (from batting practice),'' he said.
Pedro Ciriaco has the inside track as the backup infielder. Ciriaco is out of options and has been very useful to the Red Sox, but Holt is waiting in the wings.
Like Holt, Ciriaco last played with the Pirates. Holt knew of him, but only as fellow members of the same organization, as they are again.
Holt has shown his ability in the middle infield, and Farrell liked his range at shortstop. The infielder thinks he might also get some opportunities at third base this spring.