Brett Oberholtzer looks to go from Phillies fan to starting pticher

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Brett Oberholtzer is making a pitch to make the Philadelphia Phillies starting rotation.

This has been a dream of his since he was a kid and a big Phillies fan growing up in Christiana, Delaware.

"I told my dad if I could ever put on a Phillies uniform, it would be a dream come true. I can't wait to represent the city," Oberholtzer said.

Oberholtzer will get that shot after being traded from Houston in the Ken Giles deal back in December.

He's made 42 starts in three years for the Astros, but the William Penn High School grad is taking nothing for granted.

He has been training at the Maplezone Sports Institute in Garnet Valley this winter as he prepares to be thrown into the competition for the starting job.

"I get a little more insight than most players being around the city and being groomed by some of the fans. My dad was a fan, my friends were fans, everybody was a fan in Delaware, Philadelphia, Jersey. So I kind of know the standards," Oberholtzer said.

Oberholtzer was a freshman in college the last time the Phillies won the World Series and he went to the parade as a fan.

Now he is determined to go to another Phils parade, only this time be in it.

"Be up on that truck and embracing the city and likewise the city with the team. I can't wait to do that someday," Oberholtzer said.

For now, the 26-year-old lefty is driven and inspired by the all the Phillies players who came before him like the ones he used to cheer for as a kid.