Cleveland’s latest signing flew under the radar, but this ex-Pirates pitcher’s size and raw potential could make it a steal.NL
The Cleveland Guardians are taking a familiar swing at a potential bullpen bounce-back, signing 6-foot-6 right-hander Colin Holderman in a move that fits right into their pitching development playbook.
Holderman, 30, broke into pro ball back in 2016 as a ninth-round pick by the New York Mets out of Heartland Community College. He made his MLB debut in 2022 with the Mets, flashing some real promise out of the bullpen-posting a sharp 2.04 ERA over 15 appearances before being dealt to the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Since then, he’s spent parts of four seasons in Pittsburgh, where his performance has been a bit of a rollercoaster. Across that span, Holderman has logged 143.2 innings with a 4.39 ERA and 138 strikeouts. The highlight came in 2024, when he put together a solid campaign-55 appearances with a 3.16 ERA, showing the kind of late-inning reliability teams crave.
But 2025 told a different story. Holderman struggled mightily, finishing the season with a 7.01 ERA over just 24 outings. It’s a tough number to look at, but it doesn’t erase the flashes he’s shown in the past-especially when you factor in his size, velocity, and track record of success just a season prior.
That’s likely what the Guardians are banking on. This is an organization with a strong reputation for getting the most out of pitchers-whether it’s refining mechanics, tweaking pitch usage, or unlocking untapped potential. Holderman’s profile fits the mold of the kind of arm Cleveland has had success with before: big frame, proven stuff, and a recent down year that might be more fixable than it looks on the surface.
This isn’t a splashy signing, but it’s the kind of under-the-radar bullpen move that could quietly pay dividends if the Guardians can help Holderman rediscover his 2024 form. And given Cleveland’s track record with reclamation projects on the mound, it wouldn’t be surprising if this one works out better than expected.
