Brett Oberholtzer

{{Infobox baseball biography

| name = Brett Oberholtzer

| image = Brett Oberholtzer on July 16, 2016 (1) (cropped).jpg

| width = 250

| caption = Oberholtzer with the Phillies in 2016

| team =

| number =

| position = Pitcher

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1989|7|1}}

| birth_place = Christiana, Delaware, U.S.

| bats = Left

| throws = Left

| debutleague = MLB

| debutdate = April 21

| debutyear = 2013

| debutteam = Houston Astros

|finalleague=MLB

|finaldate=October 1

|finalyear=2016

|finalteam=Los Angeles Angels

| statleague = MLB

| statyear =

| stat1label = Win–loss record

| stat1value = 14–23

| stat2label = Earned run average

| stat2value = 4.36

| stat3label = Strikeouts

| stat3value = 220

| teams =

Houston Astros ({{mlby|2013}}–{{mlby|2015}})
Philadelphia Phillies ({{mlby|2016}})
Los Angeles Angels ({{mlby|2016}})

}}

Brett Raymond Oberholtzer (born July 1, 1989) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Houston Astros, Philadelphia Phillies, and Los Angeles Angels.

Early life

Oberholtzer attended William Penn High School in New Castle, Delaware, where he pitched for the school's baseball team.{{cite web|url=http://www.delawareonline.com/article/20100524/SPORTS05/5240336/Oberholtzer-writing-success-story|title=Oberholtzer writing a success story|date=May 24, 2010|first=Jack|last=Ireland|newspaper=The News Journal|accessdate=August 2, 2013}} {{subscription required|date=August 2013}} He was named to the All-Delaware team in 2006.{{cite web|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/delawareonline/access/1755618771.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Jun+01%2C+2006&author=&pub=The+News+Journal&desc=2006+ALL-STATE+BASEBALL+TEAM&pqatl=google |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130802140458/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/delawareonline/access/1755618771.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Jun+01,+2006&author=&pub=The+News+Journal&desc=2006+ALL-STATE+BASEBALL+TEAM&pqatl=google |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 2, 2013 |title=2006 ALL-STATE BASEBALL TEAM |publisher=Pqasb.pqarchiver.com |date=June 1, 2006 |accessdate=August 2, 2013}} {{subscription required|date=August 2013}} He was selected by the Seattle Mariners in the 47th round of the 2007 Major League Baseball draft, but did not sign.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.cgi?id=oberho001bre|title=Brett Oberholtzer Register Statistics & History|work=Baseball-Reference.com|accessdate=December 7, 2016}}

College career

Oberholtzer then attended Seminole Community College, a junior college, for one year.

Professional career

=Atlanta Braves=

==Minor leagues==

The Atlanta Braves drafted Oberholtzer in the eighth round in the 2008 Major League Baseball draft, and assigned him to the rookie–level Gulf Coast League Braves. In ten relief pitching appearances, he posted a 4–1 win–loss record, 2.89 earned run average (ERA), and 32 strikeouts in 37{{frac|1|3}} innings pitched. In 2009, Oberholtzer was assigned to the Appalachian League's Danville Braves, where he made the first 12 starts of his professional career. On July 6, 2009, he was named the Appalachian League's pitcher of the week.{{cite web|url=http://www.milb.com/player/index.jsp?sid=milb&player_id=519085#/career/R/pitching/2016/ALL|title=Brett Oberholtzer Stats, Highlights, Bio|work=MiLB.com|accessdate=December 7, 2016}} In 67 total innings, Oberholtzer went 6–2 with a 2.01 ERA and 56 strikeouts. He made his full-season baseball debut in 2010, splitting the season between the Single–A Rome Braves and the High–A Myrtle Beach Pelicans. In 26 combined appearances, 22 of which were starts, Oberholtzer pitched to a 6–8 record, 3.78 ERA, and 126 strikeouts in 135{{frac|2|3}} innings.

In 2011, Oberholtzer was assigned to the Double–A Mississippi Braves, where he won the Southern League's pitcher of the week award on July 25 and was named a mid-season All-Star. With the Braves, he posted a 9–9 record, 3.74 ERA, and 93 strikeouts.

=Houston Astros=

On July 25, 2011, the Braves traded Oberholtzer to the Houston Astros alongside Juan Abreu, Paul Clemens, and Jordan Schafer in exchange for Michael Bourn.{{cite web|url=http://m.mlb.com/news/article/22558026//|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141020213111/http://m.mlb.com/news/article/22558026/|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 20, 2014|title=Braves fill leadoff void, acquire Astros' Bourn|last=Bowman|first=Mark|work=MLB.com|date=July 31, 2011|accessdate=December 7, 2016}} Oberholtzer was assigned to the Double–A Corpus Christi Hooks for the remainder of the 2011 minor league season, and pitched to a 2–3 record, 5.27 ERA, and 28 strikeouts. He split time in 2012 with Corpus Christi and the Triple–A Oklahoma City RedHawks. In a career-high 166{{frac|2|3}} innings pitched, Oberholtzer posted a 10–10 win–loss record, 4.37 ERA, and 137 strikeouts.

==Major leagues==

File:Brett Oberholtzer on July 31, 2013.jpg

Oberholtzer made his Major League debut on April 21, 2013. He made his first career start and got his first career win against the Baltimore Orioles, on July 31.{{cite web|agency=Associated Press |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2013/07/31/brett-oberholtzer-first-major-league-start-astros-blank-orioles/2607227/ |title=Brett Oberholtzer stifles Orioles in first career start |publisher=Usatoday.com |date=July 31, 2013 |accessdate=August 2, 2013}} During his tenure with the Astros in 2013, he appeared in 13 games (10 starts) going 4-5 with a 2.76 ERA and 45 strikeouts.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/o/oberhbr01.shtml|title=Brett Oberholtzer Statistics and History|work=Baseball-Reference.com|accessdate=December 7, 2016}} With Triple–A Oklahoma City in 2013, Oberholtzer pitched to a 6–6 record in 16 starts, with a 4.37 ERA and 72 strikeouts. Oberholtzer made 24 starts with the Astros in 2014, and five in Triple-A. With Houston, he went 5–13 with a 4.39 ERA and 94 strikeouts in 143{{frac|2|3}} innings. In his five minor league starts, Oberholtzer posted a 1–2 win–loss record with a 4.65 ERA and 31 strikeouts in 31 total innings.

Oberholtzer battled a blister on his left index finger early in the 2015 season. He was placed on the disabled list on March 31,{{cite web|url=http://blog.chron.com/ultimateastros/2015/04/01/brett-oberholtzer-blister-expects-to-be-back-soon/|title=Astros' Brett Oberholtzer (blister) expects to be back soon|last=de Jesus Ortiz|first=Jose|work=blog.chron.com|date=April 1, 2015|accessdate=December 7, 2016}} and was activated in May. Oberholtzer was pulled from his first start after three inning when the blister recurred, and went on the disabled list once again.{{cite web|url=http://blog.chron.com/ultimateastros/2015/05/13/brett-oberholtzer-exits-first-start-after-third-inning-when-blister-woes-return/|title=Brett Oberholtzer heads to DL after exiting first start|last=Drellich|first=Evan|work=blog.chron.com|date=May 13, 2015|accessdate=December 7, 2016}} On June 27, after giving up 6 runs in {{fraction|1|1|3}} innings to the New York Yankees, Oberholtzer was immediately ejected when he intentionally threw at Yankee third baseman Alex Rodriguez; although Oberholtzer said it was inadvertent, immediately after the game the Astros optioned him to Triple–A.{{Cite web |url=http://www.mlb.com/133254484-astros-option-brett-oberholtzer-after-ejection.amp.html |title=Astros Option Brett Oberholtzer After Ejection |website=MLB.com |date=June 27, 2015}} He would make just eight starts for the Astros in 2015, going 2–2 with a 4.46 ERA and 27 strikeouts in 38{{frac|1|3}} innings. With the Triple–A Fresno Grizzlies, Oberholtzer went 7–4 in 12 starts, with a 3.86 ERA and 52 strikeouts in 70 total innings.

=Philadelphia Phillies=

On December 12, 2015, the Astros traded Oberholtzer, Mark Appel, Vince Velasquez, Tom Eshelman, and Harold Arauz to the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for Ken Giles and Jonathan Arauz.{{cite web|url=http://mlb.nbcsports.com/2015/12/12/ken-giles-trade-announced-with-2013-no-1-pick-mark-appel-headed-to-the-phillies/|title=Ken Giles trade announced, with 2013 No. 1 pick Mark Appel headed to the Phillies|first=D. J.|last=Short|publisher=NBC Sports|work=HardballTalk|accessdate=December 12, 2015|date=December 12, 2015}} He was designated for assignment on August 6, 2016.{{cite web|url=http://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/phillies-brett-oberholtzer-dfad-saturday/|title=Phillies' Brett Oberholtzer: DFA'd Saturday|work=cbssports.com|date=August 6, 2016|accessdate=August 6, 2016}} With the Phillies, Oberholtzer pitched to a 2–2 record, 4.83 ERA, and 38 strikeouts in 26 relief appearances.

=Los Angeles Angels=

The Los Angeles Angels claimed Oberholtzer off waivers on August 9, 2016.{{cite web|title=Angels Baseball: Transactions|url=http://m.angels.mlb.com/roster/transactions/2016/08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160816013744/http://m.angels.mlb.com/roster/transactions/2016/08|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 16, 2016|website=mlb.angels.com|publisher=MLB Advanced Media|accessdate=August 9, 2016|date=August 9, 2016}} He made 11 appearances for the Angels, posting a 1–1 record, 8.55 ERA, and 16 strikeouts in 20 total innings. He was designated for assignment on October 28, and later cleared waivers and was sent outright to the Triple–A Salt Lake Bees on November 2.{{Cite web|title=Outrighted: Red Sox, Angels, ChiSox, Braves, Pirates, Giants|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2016/11/outrighted-angels-chisox-braves-pirates-giants.html|access-date=April 9, 2025|website=mlbtraderumors.com|language=en}} Oberholtzer elected free agency on November 7.{{Cite web|title=Minor League Free Agents 2016|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/minor-league-free-agents-2016/|access-date=July 22, 2024|website=baseballamerica.com|date=November 8, 2016 |language=en}}

=Toronto Blue Jays=

On December 7, 2016, Oberholtzer signed a minor league contract with the Toronto Blue Jays.{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/blue-jays-sign-left-hander-brett-oberholtzer-minor-league-deal/|title=Blue Jays sign left-hander Brett Oberholtzer to minor-league deal|last=Davidi|first=Shi|work=Sportsnet|date=December 7, 2016|accessdate=December 7, 2016}} He was added to the active roster on July 31, 2017,{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/blue-jays-call-howell-oberholtzer-triple-buffalo/|title=Blue Jays call up Howell, Oberholtzer from triple-A Buffalo|work=Sportsnet|date=July 31, 2017|accessdate=July 31, 2017}} and designated for assignment the following day to make room on the roster for Nori Aoki.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2017/08/blue-jays-designate-brett-oberholtzer.html|title=Blue Jays Designate Brett Oberholtzer For Assignment|last=Adams|first=Steve|work=mlbtraderumors.com|date=August 1, 2017|accessdate=August 1, 2017}} He cleared waivers and was sent outright to the Triple–A Buffalo Bisons on August 3. On October 13, Oberholtzer elected free agency.{{cite web|url=http://www.milb.com/player/index.jsp?sid=milb&player_id=519085#/career/R/pitching/2017/ALL|title=Brett Oberholtzer Stats, Highlights, Bio|work=MiLB.com|accessdate=October 15, 2017}}

=Colorado Rockies=

On April 4, 2018, Oberholtzer signed with the Somerset Patriots of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.{{cite web|url=http://www.somersetpatriots.com/news/?article_id=3206|title=Somerset Patriots Ink Major League LHP Brett Oberholtzer|work=Somerset Patriots|accessdate=April 4, 2018}} However, on April 24, Oberholtzer signed a minor league contract with the Colorado Rockies.{{cite web|url=http://www.somersetpatriots.com/news/?article_id=3223|title=Patriots LHP Brett Oberholtzer's Contract Purchased by Rockies|work=Somerset Patriots|date=April 24, 2018|accessdate=April 24, 2018}} In 24 games (23 starts) for the Triple–A Albuquerque Isotopes, he compiled a 7–10 record and 5.77 ERA with 91 strikeouts across {{fraction|132|2|3}} innings pitched. Oberholtzer elected free agency following the season on November 2.{{Cite web|title=Minor League Free Agents 2018|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/minor-league-free-agents-2018/|access-date=May 23, 2024|website=baseballamerica.com|date=November 6, 2018 |language=en}}

=Somerset Patriots=

On February 19, 2019, Oberholtzer signed with the Somerset Patriots of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.{{cite web|url=http://www.somersetpatriots.com/news/?article_id=3702|title=Patriots Bring Back Major League LHP Brett Oberholtzer|work=Somerset Patriots|date=February 19, 2019|accessdate=February 19, 2019}} In 14 starts for the Patriots, he logged a 7–1 record and 3.49 ERA with 70 strikeouts across {{fraction|77|1|3}} innings pitched. Oberholtzer was released by Somerset on August 5.

=Chinatrust Brothers=

On July 27, 2019, Oberholtzer signed with the Chinatrust Brothers of the Chinese Professional Baseball League.{{cite web|url=http://cpblstats.com/chinatrust-brothers-sign-brett-oberholtzer/|title=Chinatrust Brothers Sign Brett Oberholtzer|date=July 27, 2019|accessdate=July 28, 2019}} He never appeared in a game with the main club or farm team and became a free agent following the season.

=Somserset Patriots (third stint)=

On February 17, 2020, Oberholtzer signed with the Somerset Patriots of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.{{Cite web|url=https://www.atlanticleague.com/stats/transactions/|title = Atlantic League Professional Baseball: Transactions}} He did not play a game for the team due to the cancellation of the ALPB season because of the COVID-19 pandemic and became a free agent after the year.