John Holdzkom

John Stephen Holdzkom (born October 19, 1987) is an American professional baseball relief pitcher who is currently a free agent. He made his Major League Baseball (MLB) debut with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2014.

John Holdzkom
Free agent
Pitcher
Born: (1987-10-19) October 19, 1987
Pasadena, California
Bats: Right Throws: Right
MLB debut
September 2, 2014, for the Pittsburgh Pirates
MLB statistics
(through 2014 season)
Win–loss record1–0
Earned run average2.00
Strikeouts14
Teams

Career

New York Mets

Holdzkom was drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the 15th round of the 2005 Major League Baseball Draft out of Rancho Cucamonga High School in Rancho Cucamonga, California, but did not sign and attended Salt Lake Community College. He was then drafted by the New York Mets in the fourth round of the 2006 Major League Baseball Draft and signed. In 2008, he underwent Tommy John surgery and missed the 2009 season, returning to the Mets organization in 2010.[1] After not playing baseball in 2011, signed a minor league deal with the Cincinnati Reds in 2012.

Amarillo Sox/Sioux City Explorers

In 2013, he played independent baseball for the Amarillo Sox and Sioux City Explorers.

Pittsburgh Pirates

After starting 2014 back in independent leagues, Holdzkom was acquired by the Pittsburgh Pirates in July 2014.[2][3] Holdzkom was called up to the majors for the first time on September 2, 2014, and debuted against the St. Louis Cardinals in the 8th inning, striking out the side. Holdzkom made nine relief appearances for the Pirates in 2014, striking out 14 batters in nine innings pitched. He also pitched in the 2014 National League Wild Card Game against the San Francisco Giants.

Holdzkom spent the entire 2015 season in the Pirates' minor league system.[4]

On April 3, 2016, Holdzkom was designated for assignment by the Pirates.[5] On April 11, 2016, he was released.[6][7]

Chicago White Sox

Holdzkom signed a minor league contract with the Chicago White Sox on April 19, 2016, but pitched just one game before being sidelined by injury.[8] He became a free agent on November 7, 2016.

Auckland Tuatara

Holdzkom signed with the Auckland Tuatara of the Australian Baseball League for the 2018/19 season.

International career

He represented New Zealand national baseball team at the 2013 World Baseball Classic Qualification.[9] Holdzkom qualified for the team because he has a New Zealand father.[10]

Personal

Holdzkom's older brother Lincoln, who pitched for the New Zealand national baseball team, died of injuries sustained in a car crash on December 13, 2015.[11][12]

References
  1. "Amarillo Sox's 6-foot-9 righty tries to put arm surgery, control woes behind him". Amarillo Globe-News.
  2. AMARILLO’S HOLDZKOM SOLD TO PITTSBURGH PIRATES Archived 2014-09-03 at the Wayback Machine
  3. "Kiwi pitcher one step away from MLB". The New Zealand Herald.
  4. "John Holdzkom Stats, Fantasy & News". MLB official site. Retrieved April 11, 2016.
  5. "Pirates' John Holdzkom: Designated for assignment". CBS Sports. April 3, 2016. Retrieved April 11, 2016.
  6. Dreker, John (April 11, 2016). "Pirates Release John Holdzkom". Pirates Prospects. Retrieved April 11, 2016.
  7. "Major League Baseball Transactions - April 2016". MLB official site. April 11, 2016. Retrieved April 11, 2016.
  8. Todd, Jeff (April 19, 2016). "White Sox Sign John Holdzkom". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved April 19, 2016.
  9. "World Baseball Classic: Team - New Zealand". World Baseball Classic.
  10. "Holdzkom brothers pitch in for NZ bid". Stuff.
  11. France, Marvin (December 16, 2015). "New Zealand baseball player Lincoln Holdzkom killed in car accident in USA". Stuff. Retrieved December 16, 2015.
  12. "New Zealand baseballer Lincoln Holdzkom killed in crash in United States". New Zealand Herald. December 16, 2015. Retrieved December 16, 2015.
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