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 during the first series of the 2026 season:
John Holobetz (Pottsville Area) – Pitcher, Portland Sea Dogs (Red Sox-AA)
Holobetz did not factor in the decision in a home start on April 11 against the New Hampshire Fisher Cats (Blue Jays). The Sea Dogs eventually pulled out a 2-1 win.
Over 4 innings of work, Holobetz tied a career high and struck out 9 while walking just 2 batters. Four of his strikeout victims were caught looking. He allowed 3 hits and 1 earned run. Fifty of the 79 pitches he tossed were strikes.
Holobetz is at 1-0 for the season with a 1.00 ERA. He’s got 12 strikeouts against just 3 walks. Opponents are hitting a weak .161 against him over his first two starts.
Thomas Schultz (Mount Carmel Area) – Pitcher, Harrisburg Senators (Nationals-AA)
In last week’s series against the Akron Aeros (Guardians), Schultz made 3 relief appearances, allowing just 1 earned run via a home run in a game on April 7.
In that game, he worked 2 innings of relief, striking out 5 and walking none.
Two days later, he was called from the bullpen and worked 1.2 perfect innings, striking out 2 batters. He then made another appearance in the series finale on Sunday, working 1 inning while allowing just 1 walk.
For the season, Schultz has a 0-0 record with a 1.59 ERA. He’s struck out 7 and walked just 1 batter.
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, Lexington Legends (MLB Partner League)
Sophy will return to the Lexington Legends, where he started the 2025 season before signing a contract to play with the Kannapolic Cannonballers (White Sox-A). The Legends season starts April 21.
Nate Nabholz (Blue Mountain) – Pitcher, Tri-City Valleycats (MLB Partner League)
Nabholz re-signed with the Valleycats for the 2026 season after finishing the 2025 season with the Frontier League club. Tri-City’s Opening Day is set for May 8.
⚾⚾⚾
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.
Subscribe to Coal Region Canary
Get email updates from Coal Region Canary by becoming a subscriber today. Just enter your email address below to get started!Support Coal Region Canary
Like our reporting and want to support truly local news in Schuylkill County? Your small donations help. For as little as $5, your contribution will allow us to cover more news that directly affects you. Consider donating today by hitting the big yellow button below ...