Colin Holderman – Pittsburgh Pirates Biography, Contract, Net Worth Information

Colin Holderman has built his career as a relief pitcher in Major League Baseball. The right-hander now throws for the Pittsburgh Pirates, and he’s become a vital part of their bullpen.

As of May 2025, Colin Holderman earns $1,500,000 per year, and his net worth sits at about $1,609,596.

Holderman’s path through pro baseball hasn’t been straightforward. He made $725,000 in 2023, then grabbed a sizable raise to his current $1.5 million deal with Pittsburgh.

He kicked things off with the New York Mets. They selected his contract from their minor league system back in May 2022, before the Pirates picked him up in a trade.

At 29, Holderman keeps working to establish himself in the majors. His salary doesn’t match baseball’s top relievers yet, but the recent bump shows the Pirates are betting on him.

Fans and teams alike are watching to see if he can land future contracts that really move the needle on his career earnings.

Early Life and Amateur Career

Colin Holderman’s baseball story started in Bourbonnais, Illinois—a small town where his athletic talent popped up early. He went from local youth leagues to draft prospect with a lot of grit and determination.

Background and Upbringing

Colin Scott Holderman was born on October 8, 1995 in Bourbonnais, about an hour south of Chicago. Growing up in the Midwest, he soaked up the region’s baseball culture from the start.

People in Illinois know how to work hard, and Holderman fit right in. His family supported his dream, traveling to tournaments and backing his development.

That small-town upbringing shaped his work ethic and drive—qualities that still show up in how he approaches the game.

Youth Baseball and Development

Holderman made a name for himself on local fields pretty quickly. His strong arm and natural athleticism separated him from other kids.

He attended Bradley-Bourbonnais Community High School, where he stood out as both a pitcher and a position player. Scouts and college coaches took notice as his high school numbers piled up.

Holderman’s velocity ticked up every year, and he started to get a handle on his breaking pitches. After high school, he chose Heartland Community College in Illinois.

At Heartland, he faced better competition and kept adding to his pitching arsenal. That college experience helped get him ready for pro ball.

Prospect Status and Draft Process

Holderman’s skills got sharper at Heartland, and scouts started checking him out. His big fastball and projectable frame made him an interesting prospect, even if he wasn’t a top national name.

The New York Mets took him in the 9th round (280th overall) of the 2016 MLB June Amateur Draft. That mid-round pick showed he had potential, but also had a lot left to work on.

The draft was the payoff for years of effort and the first step in his pro journey. Holderman signed with the Mets organization and got ready to climb the minor league ladder.

Professional Journey and MLB Debut

Colin Holderman’s road to the majors hasn’t been easy, but he’s shown plenty of resilience. He worked his way through the minors, broke through with the New York Mets, and now fits right in with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Minor League Progression

Holderman started his pro journey when the Mets drafted him in the 9th round in 2016 out of Heartland. His minor league career had its bumps.

Injuries, including Tommy John surgery, slowed him down and cost him valuable time. Still, he kept working on his fastball and breaking stuff while moving through the Mets’ farm system.

By 2021, Holderman reached Double-A Binghamton. He started to turn heads as his velocity jumped and his command sharpened.

Path to the Mets

Holderman made his big move in 2021, putting up strong numbers in Double-A. That earned him a spot on the Mets’ 40-man roster in November, which protected him from the Rule 5 Draft.

That offseason was huge for his development. Holderman kept working on his pitch mix and velocity, looking more and more like a high-leverage reliever.

He impressed during Spring Training 2022. The Mets took notice, but he started the year in Triple-A Syracuse. It didn’t take long for his performance to demand a call-up.

MLB Debut and Early Performance

Holderman’s MLB debut came on May 15, 2022, against the Seattle Mariners. At 26, he struck out two in 1.1 scoreless innings—pretty much the perfect start.

He exceeded expectations right away. Holderman put up a 2.04 ERA in his first 15 games with the Mets, striking out 18 in 17.2 innings. His fastball sat in the mid-90s, and his breaking stuff played well.

Then, in a bit of a surprise, the Mets traded him to the Pirates in July 2022 for Daniel Vogelbach. Since joining Pittsburgh, Holderman has kept developing as a reliable bullpen arm.

He’s now earning $1.5 million for the 2025 season and has carved out a real role in the majors.

Pittsburgh Pirates Career

Colin Holderman landed with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2022 and has since become a steady bullpen presence. His time in Pittsburgh has had its ups and downs, but he’s worked hard to secure his spot on the roster.

Trade Details and Transition

The Pirates picked up Holderman in July 2022, sending Daniel Vogelbach to the Mets. Holderman jumped right into the Pirates’ bullpen, bringing his power fastball and a developing slider to a team focused on rebuilding.

The Pirates’ front office wanted young pitching with upside, and Holderman fit their plan. Manager Derek Shelton saw him as a possible middle reliever with late-inning potential.

Holderman joined a bullpen with David Bednar closing games. He adapted quickly and found his place among the Pirates’ arms.

Key Performances and Impact

Holderman has shown flashes of dominance with the Pirates. In 2023, he handled some tough situations, showing an ability to get ground balls and rack up strikeouts.

His sinker-slider combo worked well against both righties and lefties. That versatility made him a go-to option for Shelton.

One standout moment came in a key series against division rivals—he struck out five in two innings. His ability to pitch multiple frames made him valuable, especially in doubleheaders or when starters left early.

The 2023 contract at $1.5 million showed the Pirates believed in his potential.

Relationships with Teammates

Holderman fit into the Pirates’ clubhouse pretty quickly, making connections with both relievers and position players. His work ethic and attitude earned respect from veterans and rookies alike.

He built a good rapport with Ke’Bryan Hayes and utility guys like Ji Hwan Bae and Jared Triolo. Being young players in the majors, they naturally clicked.

During training, Holderman liked to work with other pitchers, tweaking his mechanics and trying out new pitches. Teammates appreciated his willingness to share tips and pick up new ideas.

“He’s a student of the game who’s always looking to improve,” one teammate said. Holderman’s adaptability and team-first mindset made him valuable off the field too.

Player Profile and Playing Style

Colin Holderman stands out as a hard-throwing righty in the Pirates’ bullpen. His mix of power and movement makes him tough on hitters in high-pressure spots.

Pitch Arsenal and Velocity

Holderman’s go-to pitch is a blazing four-seam fastball that sits in the mid-90s, and sometimes touches 97-98 mph. That heater helps him get ahead in counts.

He mixes in a sharp slider with tight break, plus a changeup he’s still developing. The slider really gives right-handed hitters trouble with its late movement.

His sinker has become more important too, showing strong arm-side run and helping him get ground balls. That pitch helps keep the ball in the park and gets him quick outs.

With that mix of velocity and movement, hitters have a tough time squaring him up.

Strengths: Command and Strikeouts

Holderman’s command has improved a lot as a reliever. He’s gotten better at hitting the corners, which makes him more dangerous when the game’s on the line.

He racks up strikeouts at an above-average rate for MLB relievers. That’s thanks to both his velocity and a delivery that hides the ball well.

What’s nice is that Holderman doesn’t walk a ton of guys, even though he throws hard. His walk rate keeps getting better as he grows more confident in attacking the zone.

When he’s locked in, his WHIP stays low and he keeps runners off base.

Pitching Metrics and Analytics

Advanced stats back up Holderman’s effectiveness. His breaking pitches have a higher-than-average spin rate, which gives them that nasty movement.

Statcast shows he gets a lot of swings and misses, both in and out of the zone. His chase rate—how often batters swing at pitches outside the strike zone—ranks well among relievers.

He also keeps the ball on the ground, limiting dangerous fly balls and home runs. That’s a big plus in today’s homer-friendly game.

Holderman’s expected stats (xERA, xBA, xSLG) usually beat his traditional numbers, hinting that he might be even better than the box score shows.

Physical Attributes and Appearance

Holderman stands at 6’7″ and weighs around 240 pounds, so he cuts an imposing figure on the mound. That height lets him throw on a steep downward angle, making his pitches even tougher.

He sports a thick mustache that’s become a bit of a trademark with Pirates fans. Combined with his intense presence, it definitely gives him an intimidating vibe.

His athletic build helps him keep his velocity up late in outings and pitch on back-to-back days. That frame also gives him the torque he needs for his power style.

Despite his size, Holderman moves well off the mound, reacting quickly on comebackers and covering first base when needed.

Health, Injuries, and Recovery

Colin Holderman has battled through plenty of physical challenges in his pro baseball career. The ups and downs with injuries have really shaped how he thinks about staying healthy and performing on the mound.

Injury History and Impact

Injuries have interrupted Holderman’s career more than once. Early on, he had to undergo Tommy John surgery, which wiped out his entire 2018 season. That elbow reconstruction usually takes at least a year—sometimes even longer—to recover from.

After he made his MLB debut with the Mets in 2022, Holderman ran into shoulder issues that put him on the injured list. The timing couldn’t have been worse, as he was just starting to find his footing in the majors.

Later, when he joined the Pirates, he felt right wrist discomfort in June 2023. That messed with his pitch control and velocity. Even though these injuries slowed him down, he’s shown a lot of resilience.

Stints on the Injured List

Holderman keeps running into the injured list—it’s been a recurring headache for him. The first big one came after Tommy John surgery, and he spent a long time rehabbing his arm.

In May 2022, right after his MLB debut, he landed on the 15-day IL with the Mets because of right shoulder impingement. He had just posted a sharp 2.04 ERA in his first 15 games, so the timing stung.

With the Pirates in 2023, he lost time on the IL due to:

• Right wrist tendinitis (June)
• Lower back muscle strain (August)

These injuries have thrown off his rhythm and limited his time on the mound. The back strain, in particular, made it tough for him to keep his pitching mechanics in check.

Rehabilitation and Conditioning

Holderman now takes a pretty comprehensive approach to rehab. After Tommy John surgery, he worked with specialists and followed a progressive throwing program, slowly ramping up intensity and distance.

He now focuses on shoulder strengthening to help prevent more impingements. The Pirates’ training staff has him doing:

• Rotator cuff stability work
• Core exercises tailored to pitching
• Flexibility routines to cut down on injury risk
• Interval throwing between outings

He’s also jumped on modern training tech, using biomechanical analysis to spot and fix any flaws in his delivery that might cause injuries. This scientific approach has helped him come back with better mechanics.

Diet and Off-Field Practices

Holderman takes his diet seriously. He sticks to a protein-heavy plan to help his muscles recover, and he tries to keep inflammation down with the right foods and by staying hydrated.

When he’s rehabbing, he tweaks his nutrition—upping his omega-3s and nutrients that support collagen. He usually avoids processed foods during the season to keep himself in top shape.

He doesn’t overlook sleep, either. Holderman aims for 8-9 hours a night and uses sleep tracking to get the most out of his rest.

Mentally, he’s grown a lot since his early days. He works with mental performance coaches to stay focused through rehab and keep frustration in check. This whole-person approach has been huge in helping him bounce back from setbacks.

Contract Details and Net Worth

Colin Holderman’s finances in MLB have steadily grown since he debuted with the New York Mets in 2022. His current contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates marks a noticeable jump from his rookie salary.

Current and Past Contracts

Holderman now plays under a 1-year, $1.5 million contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates for the 2025 season. That’s a big step up from his 2023 salary, when he made $725,000 a year with the Pirates.

When he first broke into MLB with the Mets in 2022, he was on a typical rookie deal right around the league minimum. Moving from that minimum to a seven-figure contract shows the Pirates trust him as a relief pitcher.

The contract’s pretty simple—there aren’t any reported signing bonuses, incentives, or deferred payments.

Arbitration and Free Agency Status

Holderman’s contract situation is getting more interesting as he hits key points in his career. He’s still early in his MLB service, but how he moves through baseball’s pay system will shape his future earnings.

If he stays on track, Holderman will probably become arbitration-eligible after the 2025 season. That’ll give him a shot at a higher salary, based on his stats and how he stacks up against similar players.

He could reach free agency a few years later, maybe around 2028 or 2029, depending on how much service time he racks up. If he keeps pitching well in relief, his biggest paydays might still be ahead.

His ERA and walks-per-nine-innings (BB/9) will be key stats during arbitration talks.

Market Value and Endorsements

Holderman’s market value as a reliever is still taking shape as he settles into MLB. Middle relievers don’t make as much as closers or starters, but reliable bullpen arms with solid ERAs can still land good contracts.

Guys with similar experience and numbers usually earn $1-3 million per year before hitting free agency. Holderman’s $1.5 million salary fits right in that range for his role and service time.

There isn’t much out there about his endorsement deals. Middle relievers don’t usually land big national sponsorships, but local Pittsburgh businesses or baseball gear companies could be interested.

His social media game and how he connects with fans might help him score more endorsement chances down the road.

Financial Milestones

Holderman’s financial journey really highlights the path of a mid-tier relief pitcher. He jumped from the league minimum salary of $725,000 to $1.5 million—a whopping 106% increase in annual pay. That’s a pretty big deal in anyone’s book.

If Holderman reaches arbitration eligibility, his salary could double or even triple. Of course, it all depends on how he performs, but relief pitchers who shine in tight spots usually get rewarded with solid arbitration raises.

As his income grows, investment options and smart financial planning start to matter a lot more. Most MLB players end up working with financial advisors since their earning years can fly by.

The move from New York to Pittsburgh might’ve helped his wallet too. Pittsburgh’s lower cost of living means he probably keeps more of his paycheck, even though it’s a smaller market team.