| Ben Wetzler | |
|---|---|
| Free agent | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: (1991-09-12)September 12, 1991 (age 34) Clackamas, Oregon, U.S. | |
Bats: Left Throws: Left | |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
Benjamin Alen Holmes-Wetzler (born September 12, 1991) is an American professionalbaseballpitcher who is a free agent. He attendedOregon State University, and played for theOregon State Beavers.
Wetzler starred for the baseball team atClackamas High School inClackamas, Oregon. He then enrolled at Oregon State to play for the Beavers. After his junior year, thePhiladelphia Phillies selected Wetzler in the fifth round of the2013 Major League Baseball draft. Wetzler used an agent for negotiations, againstNational Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) rules, but "something that reportedly happens all the time". When Wetzler chose to return to Oregon State rather than sign, the Phillies reported Wetzler's violation to the NCAA.
Wetzler attendedClackamas High School inClackamas, Oregon. He pitched to a 12–0win–loss record and a 0.33earned run average (ERA) in his senior year, as well as acomplete gameshutout in the Class 6A state championship game. Wetzler was named the Class 6A player of the year.[1][2] He finished his high school career with a 28–3 win–loss record, a 0.87 ERA, and 342strikeouts.[3]
TheCleveland Indians ofMajor League Baseball (MLB) selected Wetzler in the 15th round of the2010 MLB draft.[4] He did not sign with Cleveland, and instead enrolled atOregon State University, to playcollege baseball for theOregon State Beavers baseball team. In 2012, he playedcollegiate summer baseball with theFalmouth Commodores of theCape Cod Baseball League.[5] As a junior, Wetzler pitched to a 10–1 win–loss record with a 2.25 ERA, and was named an All-Pac-12 Conference selection.[6]
ThePhiladelphia Phillies selected Wetzler in the fifth round of the2013 MLB draft, with the 151st overall selection. Wetzler did not sign, opting to return to Oregon State for his senior year.[7] The Phillies reported Wetlzer and Jason Monda ofWashington State University, their sixth round pick who also did not sign, to theNational Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) for violating the rule against using asports agent during financial negotiations, which is "something that reportedly happens all the time".[8][9][10] The NCAA suspended Wetzler for 11 games, which is 20% of the Beavers' season.[8][11] He made his season debut on March 2, defeating theWright State Raiders,[12][13] and then beating theNorthern Illinois Huskies the next week.[14] Weztler recorded his 31st win at the Oregon State on April 25, setting a new school record.[15]Collegiate Baseball named Wetzler a First Team All-American.[16]
TheMiami Marlins selected Wetzler in the ninth round, with the 257th overall selection, of the2014 MLB draft.[17] He signed and spent 2014 with theBatavia Muckdogs where he was 0–2 with a 2.95 ERA in 11 games started. In 2015, he played for both theGreensboro Grasshoppers andJupiter Hammerheads where he pitched to a combined 6–7 record with a 4.55 ERA in 27 games (24 starts), and in 2016, he returned to Greensboro and Jupiter where he posted a 7–2 record, 1.18 ERA, and 0.99 WHIP in 35 games (34 relief appearances). Wetzler spent 2017 with Jupiter where he collected a 1–6 record and 4.17 ERA in73+1⁄3 innings pitched.[18] He began the 2018 season split between Jupiter and the Double-AJacksonville Jumbo Shrimp, and was released by the organization on June 27, 2018, after allowing 7 earned runs in11+1⁄3 innings.[19]
On July 6, 2018, Holmes signed a minor league contract with theLos Angeles Dodgers. He split the remainder of the 2018 season between the High-ARancho Cucamonga Quakes and the Double-ATulsa Drillers, recording a 2.82 ERA in Tulsa and a 1.06 ERA with the Quakes. He split 2019 between the Triple-AOklahoma City Dodgers and Tulsa, pitching to a 2–4 record and 5.31 ERA with 64 strikeouts in 61.0 innings of work.[20] Wetzler did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of theCOVID-19 pandemic.[21] He was released by the Dodgers organization on July 1, 2020.[22]
On February 23, 2021, Wetzler signed a minor league contract with theChicago Cubs organization.[23] He was assigned to the Triple-AIowa Cubs to begin the season. He made two starts for Iowa, struggling to an 0–1 record and 6.52 ERA with 9 strikeouts in9+2⁄3 innings pitched. He was released by the Cubs on June 24, 2022.[24]
On July 15, 2022, Holmes signed with theMilwaukee Milkmen of theAmerican Association of Professional Baseball.[25] Holmes made 11 appearances (4 starts) for Milwaukee down the stretch, logging a 4–0 record and 6.03 ERA with 27 strikeouts in37+1⁄3 innings pitched.
On March 14, 2023, prior to the start of the American Association season, Holmes’ contract was purchased by theChicago White Sox organization.[26] In 31 combined appearances between the Double–ABirmingham Barons and Triple–ACharlotte Knights, he accumulated a 2–6 record and 5.25 ERA with 42 strikeouts and 4saves in 36 innings of work. On July 25, Holmes was released by Chicago.[27]
On August 26, 2023, Holmes signed with theFargo-Moorhead RedHawks of theAmerican Association of Professional Baseball.[28] In four games for Fargo, Holmes recorded a 2.25 ERA with two strikeouts and one save across four innings.
On March 11, 2024, Holmes signed withEl Águila de Veracruz of theMexican League.[29] In 7 games (6 starts) for Veracruz, he struggled to a 6.91 ERA with 23 strikeouts across27+1⁄3 innings pitched. Holmes was released by the team on May 27.[30]
On May 30, 2024, Holmes signed with theCaliente de Durango of theMexican League.[31] In 11 appearances (10 starts) for Durango, he compiled a 4-5 record and 5.82 ERA with 37 strikeouts over 51 innings of work. Holmes was released by the Caliente on April 29, 2025.[32]
In 2001, Wetzler was named the junior champion insheep showing at theClackamas County fair.[3]
