John Holdzkom has been through it all as a baseball player. What has happened for him over the past month has been something that could rival something out of a movie.
Holdzkom was drafted in 2006 by the Mets and didn’t make it past the Single-A level in three years while walking 84 batters in 51 appearances. He missed the 2009 season and only made 11 appearances in 2010. After another year off in 2011, he was signed by the Reds and made six appearances in High-A before being released after walking 13 batters in six appearances.
Holdzkom then played in an independent league for the 2013 and start of the 2014 seasons. During that time, he changed the grip of his fastball — that ranges between 94 and 97 mph — and it showed as his ERA stayed under 3.00 and his walk rate dropped.
The Pirates noticed this and signed him to a minor league contract. He made four appearances with AA Altoona where he struck out 10 and walked two in six innings of work. From there, he went to AAA Indianapolis and made 18 appearances where he struck out 27 and walked 10 in 21 2/3 innings.
The story doesn’t end there as the Pirates purchased his contract to place him on the 40-man roster just hours before the postseason deadline making him eligible. He was called up two days later and made an appearance in St. Louis against the Cardinals where he struck out the side in his Major League debut.
It has been a long journey, but Holdzkom continues to enjoy the ride.
“I’m not trying to look too much into how busy this year has been for me. I’m just riding the wave,” said Holdzkom. “I’m not thinking about it. I’m just playing the same game I’ve been playing my whole life and keeping it simple.”
John isn’t the first one in his family to try to make a minor league roster. His brother, Lincoln, started in the Marlins organization in 2001 and made it to High-A before going to the Cubs and Red Sox, where he spent two years in AAA. In 2009, Lincoln found himself in AA ball for Altoona, where he was roommates with current Pirates reliever Jared Hughes.
Hughes says he remembers Lincoln talking highly about John and saying he could have a chance at the majors with his high-velocity fastball.
It’s a small world the we live in as Hughes now shares the same bullpen with another Holdzkom, where he has fit in during the two weeks he has been here.
“I’m definitely a little more comfortable just getting to know my teammates,” said Holdzkom. “They all have been really welcoming of me. It’s an easy clubhouse to get along with, so I’m thankful for that.”
In five appearances — five innings — with the Pirates, Holdzkom has struck out nine batters while allowing only one walk and one hit. One other reason for his success his his palmball — yes, that pitch still exists — that is so misleading to hitters that even Russell Martin had some trouble catching the pitch. He says he learned it from a Hall of Fame closer.
“I thought that’s how Trevor Hoffman gripped his changeup,” said Holdzkom. “I was a fan of the Padres. I don’t think that’s how you actually hold it, but as a 13-year-old, I was watching the TV and thought that’s how he held it. I don’t throw it that much. I rely on my fastball. I throw it once every 15 pitches to be honest.”
Manager Clint Hurdle is impressed by Holdzkom’s work ethic and ability to learn off of the other pitchers around him.
“He’s used his eyes well watching Watson pitch, watching Hughes pitch, watching Melancon pitch prepare has helped him,” said Hurdle. ” His confidence level is good. It had to have been for him to get here.”
Pirates General Manager Neal Huntington believes this is a great story for the team and a good acquisition for the stretch run.
“John is a great story, said Huntington. “Just an absolute fantastic story. To come up and show that slow heartbeat that Clint talks about and not seem to realize that he’s pitching in some meaningful situations for us and just pound the zone with that nasty mid-90’s cutter and that hard palmball that bites and we hope to have him pitch into games in October because that’s a great thing for us and the organization.”
The story doesn’t end with the baseball side of things for Holdzkom. He has also made the national scene thanks to comedian Seth Meyers, whose father is from Pittsburgh. Meyers is a Pirates fan and showed Holdzkom’s picture on his late night show due to the similar look that they have.
“My brother hit me up on Facebook,” said Holdzkom. “He was watching the show one night and told me ‘Seth Meyers just showed your picture.’ This was my first day in the big leagues. I thought it was funny, random. I didn’t expect it.”
Meyers attended the Pirates win over the Cubs at PNC Park on Friday night sporting a familiar jersey.
Fingers crossed for Holdzkom appearance #LongLostBrother
— Seth Meyers (@sethmeyers) September 13, 2014
Thanks @Pirates! pic.twitter.com/rNj14dpmVi — Seth Meyers (@sethmeyers) September 13, 2014
“I saw where he was comparing our looks [on Twitter],” said Holdzkom. “It’s up for debate how similar we look. It’s a funny thing that’s going on right now.”
Even with all of this happening around him in his first month in the big leagues, Holdzkom still keeps it simple.
“The highlight, for me, is just coming to the ballpark every day. Just getting to be a baseball player,” said Holdzkom.
It’s a good attitude for a man with a bright future.
(Photo Credit: Getty Images) Follow @TBerardi_PSN
