continuing his progression through the minor leagues, schultz was promoted to the class-a kane county cougars, where he would go 6–1 with a 2.87 era and 65 strikeouts in 75 innings. he struggled in the 2011 season, making seven appearances for the advanced-a stockton ports and posting a 14.85 era before being released by the athletics organization. he signed with the grand prairie airhogs of the american association of independent professional baseball and spent the remainder of the season there. schultz made 37 total appearances for grand prairie, and pitched to a 4–3 record, 4.12 era, and 54 strikeouts in 72 innings.