Here is our regular roundup of Schuylkill County and other coal region players currently with Major League Baseball organizations or playing in an MLB Partner League in the 2026 season.
This is how our players did in games over the last month:
John Holobetz (Pottsville Area) – Pitcher, Portland Sea Dogs (Red Sox-AA)
Holobetz has rebounded from a few tough starts at the end of April and earlier this month.
In a start against the Hartford Yard Goats (Rockies) on May 15), Holobetz did not factor in the decision but pitched 5 strong innings, allowing just 3 hits and 1 run on a solo homer. He struck out 4 and walked 2.
On May 22, in a home game against the Reading Fightin Phils (Phillies), he showed the form that earned him Eastern League Pitcher of the Week earlier this season. In that start, he threw 6 shutout innings, allowing just 5 hits and striking out 6 while walking none.
For the season, Holobetz is 2-3 with a 4.06 ERA (12th best in the Eastern League). He’s struck out 40 batters and walked just 12. His 9.56 K/9 innings is 10th best in the EL and 2.87 walks per 9 innings is 7th lowest in the league.
PORTLAND TRAVELS TO READING: If you want to see Holobetz in action, his Sea Dogs will be in Reading from June 9-14.
Thomas Schultz (Mount Carmel Area) – Pitcher, Harrisburg Senators (Nationals-AA)
Schultz appears to be getting back on track after a few rough outings earlier this month. In his last two appearances for the Senators, Schultz threw 1.2 perfect innings on May 20 against Akron (Guardians), striking out 2 batters. He allowed just 1 hit and struck out 1 in 2 innings on May 24, again against the RubberDucks.
Those relief appearances follow a May 17 game against Altoona Curve (Pirates) in which Schultz was tagged for 3 runs on 3 hits (2 of them home runs) over 1.1 innings.
With strong performances in his last two appearances, he’s lowered his season ERA to 4.98 over 21.2 innings in 17 games. He has an 0-2 record with 1 save.
SCHULTZ IN ACTION: Schultz’ Senators will be at Reading this week for a 6-game series starting Tuesday night through Sunday. Harrisburg returns home next week for a series against Somerset (June 2-7).
Reggie Crawford (North Schuylkill) – Pitcher, San Francisco Giants organization
Crawford underwent his most recent shoulder shoulder in September and, according to San Francisco Chronicle, his “best-case scenario” has him returning to the mound midway through the 2026 season.
Kaleb Sophy (Blue Mountain) – Pitcher, Lancaster Stormers (MLB Partner League)
Sophy was injured on Opening Day after just three pitches. He returned to the lineup and made several appearances before getting released last week. On Sunday, he joined the Lancaster Stormers in the same Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.
STORMERS RETURN HOME THIS WEEKEND: Sophy’s Stormers will be at home this coming weekend for a series against the Long Island Ducks (May 29-31).
Nate Nabholz (Blue Mountain) – Pitcher, Tri-City ValleyCats (MLB Partner League)
Nabholz is currently 1-1 with a 3.60 ERA with the ValleyCats in 2026. He’s thrown 10 innings, striking out 10 and walking 3. His ValleyCats have scuffled their way out of the gate this season, posting a 3-11 record thus far.
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LET US KNOW: Someone missing from this roundup who plays for a Minor League team or MLB-affiliated league with ties to the coal region? Send us an email (newscanary@gmail.com) with their name, team, and their connection to the area and we’ll add them to future roundups.
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