Perrotto: Colin Holderman Has Impressive Early-Season Distinction (+)
The Pittsburgh Pirates felt like they made a pretty good trade last July when they dealt slugger Daniel Vogelbach to the New York Mets.
The return was right-handed reliever Colin Holderman, a relatively unknown rookie on a Mets team full of star players. While Holderman might not have been a household name, the Pirates firmly believed they were getting a pitcher who could eventually become a big part of their bullpen.
Holderman is living up to that billing through the first 17 games of this season. The 27-year-old has been nearly perfect while serving as the primary set-up man for closer David Bednar.
Holderman has not allowed a run in eight appearances and eight innings. He has scattered seven hits while striking out seven and walking three.
Each of Holderman’s appearances have been scoreless eighth innings. He is one of just three National League pitchers who have worked at least eight innings without allowing a run along with the New York Mets’ David Robertson (8.1) and the San Francisco Giants’ Tyler Rogers.
Pirates manager Derek Shelton broke the news to Holderman that he would be the eighth-inning guy the day before the season opener March 30 in Cincinnati. Holderman, a Southern Illinois University alumnus like Shelton, has justified his manager’s faith.
“He’s done a really nice job,” Shelton said. “I think what goes into it is, No. 1, the matchups we’ve had. That’s not to say that you won’t see him in the seventh if we have different matchups.
“The second part of it is his stuff’s really good. You don’t see very many guys that throw 97, 98-mph sinkers like that. I think that kind of leads itself to it.
“The third part of that is he had had some leverage innings with the Mets prior to being here.”
While Holderman worked his way into an important role in the Mets’ bullpen last season, he knew he had to prove himself all over again after the trade. Holderman had a 6.75 ERA in nine games with the Pirates last season and did pitch after Aug. 24 because of right shoulder soreness.
However, after reporting to camp healthy, Holderman had an inkling during spring training that he might be a key part of the bullpen in 2023. Though he allowed six runs in 8.2 innings during Grapefruit League play, he impressed the Pirates by holding opponents to a .167 batting average.
“(Shelton) and I had some conversations about what I would do if I were pitching in certain high-leverage situations,” Holderman said. “I was hoping that was a good sign, but I didn’t know for sure until we got to Cincinnati and Shelty told me he wanted me to pitch late in games.”
Holderman was thrilled with the news.
“I want the ball in the most high-leverage situations and that’s just what I’ve dreamed about my whole life,” Holderman said. “So actually, the opportunity to do it for the Pirates is amazing and I’ve gotten to face some high-level offenses in high-leverage situations. It’s always fun to go out there against good competition and put up a zero.”
It is also good for the psyche.
“It does wonders for your confidence,” Holderman said. “I feel like I have a lot of self-confidence but when you see the results stack up, that really helps. It’s a good reassurance that I can be successful at the big-league level. I’d like to build on that confidence going forward.”