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Brett Oberholtzer, ladies and gentlemen. Coming into the season as spring came to a close, I was ecstatic to watch the development of higher profile arms in the system, such as Mike Foltynewicz, Jarred Cosart, and Lance McCullers, as well as watch the growth of guys ready to break the big league club such as Jordan Lyles, John Ely, Alex White, and Brad Peacock. Brett Oberholtzer was not on my radar..
Acquired from the Braves in the heavily criticized Michael Bourn deal of 2011, Obie was on the outside looking in as far as shot at the rotation, or major league staff for that matter this spring. Since the trade, Brett has fared decently well, posting a FIP of 3.79 to finish his 2011 campaign in Corpus Christi, and finishing 2012 with a FIP around 4.20 between Corpus and AAA OKC. After a so-so performance at OKC this year with a 4.37 ERA in 80.1 innings of work, Oberholtzer was given the call in April and made his major league debut in relief. He would make two more appearances and make the commute to and from OKC a few more times, before taking Center stage in Baltimore July 31st to make his first major league start.
Obie forced himself onto the scene and into rotation consideration after channeling the force in a spot start in Baltimore last week consisting of 7 strong innings of 3 hit baseball. He followed his fine outing by taking the mound Monday against the mighty big bopping Red Sox, hat cocked to the side, exhibiting a bit of swagger and confidence, and proceeded to spin 7 innings of shutout baseball. As a result, Oberholtzer became the first pitcher in franchise history to pitch 7+ scoreless innings in his first two major league starts. Studly. A near Dallas Keuchel-arsenal doppelganger with a bit more heat, Oberholtzer displayed fantastic control of each pitch within his arsenal, and he mixed and matched spots and speed with the best of them. The change-up stood out to me, considering he threw it a few times in a 2-0 count, which is just pitching 101 if you can locate and keep it low in the zone, which he did very well.
I, as well as most people, weren't giving the big lefty the credit his location and ability to work his arsenal effectively was due. Brett's repuitare consists of a fastball that Fangraphs averages at 90.7 (AKA 91mph), a curve, a slider, a cut piece, and his change. This is an incredibly overused phrase, and one I usually consider to be ignorant in dissecting a pitcher, but he exudes pitchability. Over six minor league seasons, Ober-Wan owns a low HR/9 of .7, and a BB/9 of 2.2, which shows me that if he can continue posting similar rates, he will most certainly stick with MOR to back of the rotation potential. I harp on these two numbers often, but they're two very simple building blocks to pitching success at any level, and he has displayed consistency throughout his professional career as far as maintaining them, therefore he has a higher floor than many including myself anticipated. It's incredibly refreshing to see a guy not considered a top prospect, deal as he has, albeit for only a few starts. As an added bonus, if Obie pans out, the Bourn deal will sting much less. Just sit back and enjoy the show, this is the only semi-enjoyable part of the rebuild, witnessing the wonder that is watching a young ballplayer come into his own and establish his place in the game. Although he most likely won't continue dealing the way he has, I absolutely believe that Brett Oberholtzer has the arsenal and ability to potentially contribute in a significant way as he continues to develop and mature further. The force is strong with this one folks.
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