Brett Oberholtzer

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. He was named to the All-Delaware team in 2006. He was selected by the Seattle Mariners in the 47th round of the 2007 Major League Baseball draft, but did not sign.

College career Oberholtzer then attended Seminole Community College, a junior college, for one year. In 67 total innings, Oberholtzer went 6–2 with a 2.01 ERA and 56 strikeouts. 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. 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. 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. 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. On June 27, after giving up 6 runs in 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. He would make just eight starts for the Astros in 2015, going 2–2 with a 4.46 ERA and 27 strikeouts in 38 innings. He was designated for assignment on August 6, 2016. With the Phillies, Oberholtzer pitched to a 2–2 record, 4.83 ERA, and 38 strikeouts in 26 relief appearances. He made 11 appearances for the Angels, posting a 1–1 record, 8.55 ERA, and 16 strikeouts in 20 total innings. Oberholtzer elected free agency on November 7.

Toronto Blue Jays On December 7, 2016, Oberholtzer signed a minor league contract with the Toronto Blue Jays. He was added to the active roster on July 31, 2017, and designated for assignment the following day to make room on the roster for Nori Aoki. He cleared waivers and was sent outright to the Triple–A Buffalo Bisons on August 3. On October 13, Oberholtzer elected free agency.

Colorado Rockies On April 4, 2018, Oberholtzer signed with the Somerset Patriots of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. However, on April 24, Oberholtzer signed a minor league contract with the Colorado Rockies. 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 innings pitched. Oberholtzer elected free agency following the season on November 2.

Somerset Patriots On February 19, 2019, Oberholtzer signed with the Somerset Patriots of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. In 14 starts for the Patriots, he logged a 7–1 record and 3.49 ERA with 70 strikeouts across 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. 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. 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.