The Tampa Bay Rays selected Lobstein in the second round, 47th overall, of the 2008 Major League Baseball draft. He made his professional debut with the Low-A Hudson Valley Renegades, posting a 3-5 record and 2.58 ERA in 14 games. In 2010, Lobstein played for the Single-A Bowling 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-A Charlotte Stone Crabs and the Double-A Montgomery 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]
Detroit Tigers
Lobstein was selected in the 2012 Rule 5 draft by the New York Mets, and traded that same day to the Detroit Tigers.[3][4] On March 25, 2013, the Tigers retained the Rule 5 rights to Lobstein after trading catcher Curt Casali to the Rays, and outrighted Lobstein off of the 40-man roster.[5] He split the season between the Double-A Erie SeaWolves and the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens, posting a 13-7 record and 3.27 ERA in 28 starts between the two teams. The Tigers added Lobstein to their 40-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 a doubleheader against the Minnesota Twins. Prior to being called up, Lobstein was 9–11 with a 4.07 ERA and a 1.479 WHIP in 26 games with Triple-A Toledo. Lobstein made his debut in the first game of the doubleheader, pitching 5+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 the New 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 the Cleveland Indians.[10] Lobstein pitched 5+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 pitched 5+2⁄3 innings, allowing one run on four hits, while walking two and striking out three, to earn his first major league win over the San Francisco Giants.[12]
Lobstein opened the 2015 season in the Tigers rotation due to Justin 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 the disabled list with left shoulder soreness on May 24, 2015.[13] During his rehab assignment, he pitched in two starts for the High-A Lakeland 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 was designated for assignment by the Tigers on December 18, 2015.[15]
Pittsburgh Pirates
On December 21, 2015, Lobstein was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for cash considerations.[16] Lobstein split time between Pittsburgh and the Triple-A Indianapolis 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]
Baltimore Orioles
On August 31, 2016, Lobstein was traded to the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for Zach Phillips.[19] He was designated for assignment that same day when the Orioles claimed Drew Stubbs.[20] He was sent outright to the Triple-A Norfolk Tides on September 3,[21] where he pitched in one game before their season ended. He elected free agency on October 5.[22]
Miami Marlins
On November 17, 2016, Lobstein signed a minor league deal with the Miami Marlins organization.[23] Lobstein split the 2017 season between the Triple-A New Orleans Baby Cakes and the Double-A Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp, recording a cumulative 2.11 ERA with 31 strikeouts in 42+2⁄3 innings of work. He elected free agency following the season on November 6, 2017.[24]
Toros de Tijuana
On March 20, 2018, Lobstein signed with the Toros de Tijuana of the Mexican Baseball 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.
Los Angeles Dodgers
On June 22, 2018, Lobstein signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers organization.[26] He was 4–7 with a 3.79 ERA across 14 starts for the Double-A Tulsa Drillers and the Triple-A Oklahoma City Dodgers.[27] Lobstein elected free agency following the season on November 2.[28]
Oakland Athletics
On November 9, 2018, Lobstein signed a minor league contract with the Oakland Athletics organization.[29] He spent the 2019 season with the Triple-A Las 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]
Los Angeles Dodgers (second stint)
On December 12, 2019, Lobstein signed a minor league contract to return to the Los Angeles Dodgers organization. Lobstein did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[31] He became a free agent on November 2, 2020.[32]
Washington Nationals
On March 22, 2021, Lobstein signed a minor league contract with the Washington Nationals organization.[33] He was assigned to the Triple-A Rochester 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 in 0+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]
Milwaukee Brewers
On July 13, 2021, Lobstein was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for cash considerations and was optioned to the Triple-A Nashville 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-A Nashville Sounds.[39] On October 5, Lobstein elected free agency.[40]
Toros de Tijuana (second stint)
On March 25, 2022, Lobstein signed with the Toros de Tijuana of the Mexican 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 March 8, 2023, Lobstein signed with the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic 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.
Scouting report
A finesse pitcher, Lobstein relies on a mid to high 80's fastball. He also throws a cutter, changeup and a curveball.[45]
