After not playing baseball in 2011, on January 5, 2012, Holdzkom signed a minor league contract with the Cincinnati Reds organization.

After pitching in 1 game for the San Angelo Colts of United League Baseball, Holdzkom re-joined the Amarillo Sox for the 2014 season.

[5][6] After posting 6.0 scoreless innings in Altoona, Holdzkom was promoted to the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians, where he recorded a 2.49 ERA in 18 appearances.

Holdzkom made nine relief appearances for the Pirates in 2014, striking out 14 batters in nine innings pitched, sporting a 2.00 ERA on the year.

[11] Holdzkom made one appearance for the rookie–level Arizona League White Sox before suffering an injury and missing the remainder of the season.

[14] Holdzkom's older brother Lincoln, who pitched for the New Zealand national baseball team, died of injuries sustained in a car crash on December 13, 2015.