| Kyle Lobstein | |
|---|---|
 Lobstein with the Detroit Tigers | |
| Free agent | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: (1989-08-12)August 12, 1989 (age 36) Flagstaff, Arizona, U.S. | |
Bats: Left Throws: Left | |
| MLB debut | |
| August 23, 2014, for the Detroit Tigers | |
| MLB statistics (through 2021 season) | |
| Win–loss record | 6–10 |
| Earned run average | 5.22 |
| Strikeouts | 75 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
Kyle Eric Lobstein (born August 12, 1989) is anAmerican professionalbaseballpitcher who is a free agent. He has previously played inMajor League Baseball (MLB) for theDetroit Tigers,Pittsburgh Pirates, andWashington Nationals.
Lobstein is a native ofFlagstaff, Arizona, and attendedCoconino High School.[1] As a 9-year old, Kyle was coached in youth basketball by futureESPN andComcast SportsNet Houston anchorSteve Bunin.
TheTampa Bay Rays selected Lobstein in the second round, 47th overall, of the2008 Major League Baseball draft. He made his professional debut with the Low-AHudson Valley Renegades, posting a 3-5 record and 2.58 ERA in 14 games. In 2010, Lobstein played for the Single-ABowling Green Hot Rods, logging a 9-8 record and 4.14 ERA in 27 appearances. The following season, Lobstein split the year between the High-ACharlotte Stone Crabs and the Double-AMontgomery Biscuits, pitching to a cumulative 10-10 record and 4.01 ERA with 96 strikeouts in 132.1 innings of work. Lobstein returned to Montgomery for the 2012 season, recording an 8-7 record and 4.06 ERA with 129 strikeouts in 144.0 innings pitched.[2]
Lobstein was selected in the 2012Rule 5 draft by theNew York Mets, and traded that same day to theDetroit Tigers.[3][4] On March 25, 2013, the Tigers retained the Rule 5 rights to Lobstein after trading catcherCurt Casali to the Rays, and outrighted Lobstein off of the 40-man roster.[5] He split the season between the Double-AErie SeaWolves and the Triple-AToledo Mud Hens, posting a 13-7 record and 3.27 ERA in 28 starts between the two teams. The Tigers added Lobstein to their40-man roster on November 20, 2013.[6] He was assigned to Toledo to begin the 2014 season.
On August 23, 2014, the Tigers promoted Lobstein to the major leagues before adoubleheader against theMinnesota Twins. Prior to being called up, Lobstein was 9–11 with a 4.07ERA and a 1.479WHIP in 26 games withTriple-A Toledo. Lobstein made his debut in the first game of the doubleheader, pitching5+2⁄3 innings, allowing three runs on four hits, while walking four, and striking out three.[7] Lobstein made his first major league start on August 28, against theNew York Yankees.[8] He pitched six innings, allowing two runs, one earned, on four hits and one walk, while earning a no-decision. Following the game, Lobstein was optioned back to Triple-A Toledo.[9] On September 2, Lobstein was recalled from Triple-A, and made his second major league start of the season that night against theCleveland Indians.[10] Lobstein pitched5+1⁄3 innings, allowing two runs on five hits, while walking three and striking out a career-high ten batters.[11] On September 7, Lobstein pitched5+2⁄3 innings, allowing one run on four hits, while walking two and striking out three, to earn his first major league win over theSan Francisco Giants.[12]
Lobstein opened the 2015 season in the Tigers rotation due toJustin Verlander not being able to start the season with a right triceps strain. Lobstein had a 3–5 record, with a 4.34 ERA and a 1.448 WHIP in eight starts before being placed on thedisabled list with left shoulder soreness on May 24, 2015.[13] During his rehab assignment, he pitched in two starts for the High-ALakeland Flying Tigers and four for the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens. He went 0–3 with a 5.68 ERA between the two stops. The Tigers activated Lobstein from the disabled list on September 3, 2015.[14] During the 2015 season, Lobstein went 3–8 with a 5.94 ERA and a 1.586 WHIP in 13 outings, including 11 starts with the Tigers. He wasdesignated for assignment by the Tigers on December 18, 2015.[15]
On December 21, 2015, Lobstein was traded to thePittsburgh Pirates in exchange for cash considerations.[16] Lobstein split time between Pittsburgh and the Triple-AIndianapolis Indians, and through 14 games with the Pirates, Lobstein recorded a 3.96 ERA over 25 innings. He gave up 11 earned runs on 25 hits while walking 12 batters.[17] On August 30, 2016, Lobstein was designated for assignment.[18]
On August 31, 2016, Lobstein was traded to theBaltimore Orioles in exchange forZach Phillips.[19] He was designated for assignment that same day when the Orioles claimedDrew Stubbs.[20] He was sent outright to the Triple-ANorfolk Tides on September 3,[21] where he pitched in one game before their season ended. He elected free agency on October 5.[22]
On November 17, 2016, Lobstein signed a minor league deal with theMiami Marlins organization.[23] Lobstein split the 2017 season between the Triple-ANew Orleans Baby Cakes and the Double-AJacksonville Jumbo Shrimp, recording a cumulative 2.11 ERA with 31 strikeouts in42+2⁄3 innings of work. He elected free agency following the season on November 6, 2017.[24]
On March 20, 2018, Lobstein signed with theToros de Tijuana of theMexican League. Lobstein finished out the Spring Tournament of the season, recording a 4-2 record and a 2.95 ERA across 11 starts.[25] He was released by the team on June 21.
On June 22, 2018, Lobstein signed a minor league contract with theLos Angeles Dodgers organization.[26] He was 4–7 with a 3.79 ERA across 14 starts for the Double-ATulsa Drillers and the Triple-AOklahoma City Dodgers.[27] Lobstein elected free agency following the season on November 2.[28]
On November 9, 2018, Lobstein signed a minor league contract with theOakland Athletics organization.[29] He spent the 2019 season with the Triple-ALas Vegas Aviators, logging a 6-4 record and 4.75 ERA in 43 appearances. Lobstein elected free agency following the season on November 4, 2019.[30]
On December 12, 2019, Lobstein signed a minor league contract to return to theLos Angeles Dodgers organization. Lobstein did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of theCOVID-19 pandemic.[31] He became a free agent on November 2, 2020.[32]
On March 22, 2021, Lobstein signed a minor league contract with theWashington Nationals organization.[33] He was assigned to the Triple-ARochester Red Wings to begin the season, where he pitched to a 1.69 ERA with 25 strikeouts in 16 appearances. On June 29, Lobstein was selected to the active roster.[34] The following day, he made his first major league appearance since June 24, 2016, and allowed 1 run in0+1⁄3 of an inning.[35] After struggling to a 20.25 ERA in 3 appearances with Washington, Lobstein was designated for assignment on July 10.[36]
On July 13, 2021, Lobstein was traded to theMilwaukee Brewers in exchange for cash considerations and was optioned to the Triple-ANashville Sounds.[37] On August 17, Lobstein was designated for assignment by the Brewers.[38] On August 20, Lobstein cleared waivers and was assigned outright to the Triple-ANashville Sounds.[39] On October 5, Lobstein elected free agency.[40]
On March 25, 2022, Lobstein signed with theToros de Tijuana of theMexican League.[41] Lobstein appeared in 13 games for Tijuana, posting a 1-2 record and 5.01 ERA with 31 strikeouts in 23.1 innings pitched.
On February 15, 2023, Lobstein was loaned to theLake Country DockHounds of theAmerican Association of Professional Baseball.[42] However, prior to the start of the American Association season on February 28, Lobstein’s contract was returned to Tijuana.[43]
On March 8, 2023, Lobstein signed with theLong Island Ducks of theAtlantic League of Professional Baseball.[44] In 37 games (12 starts), Lobstein struggled, going 5-5 with a 5.66 ERA and 81 strikeouts. He became a free agent following the season.
On June 19, 2025, after a year of inactivity, Lobstein signed with theLake Country DockHounds of theAmerican Association of Professional Baseball.[45] In six starts for Lake Country, he posted a 3-1 record and 5.34 ERA with 27 strikeouts across30+1⁄3 innings pitched. Lobstein was released by the DockHounds on August 17.[46]
A finesse pitcher, Lobstein relies on a mid to high 80's fastball. He also throws a cutter, changeup and a curveball.[47]
· Baseball Almanac