not selected in the 2008 major league baseball draft, schultz signed with the oakland athletics as an undrafted free agent. he was assigned to the arizona league athletics for the season, where he pitched to a 4–3 win–loss record, 5.24 era, and 30 strikeouts in 44 innings. in 2009, schultz was promoted to the short season-a vancouver canadians of the northwest league. in 26 relief appearances totaling 44 innings pitched, schultz would post a 2–3 record, 2.66 era, and 48 strikeouts. he was also named the league's pitcher of the week on september 7.