Garrett Olson

2013

There was no outlook written for Garrett Olson.

2011

Olson's future is only that of a middle reliever/spot starter, but he can be useful when he's not issuing free passes. Last season, he walked seven batters in his first 11 appearances (9.2 IP) after a June 1 callup from Triple-A Tacoma. After that, however, he issued only eight walks in his last 24 outings (28 IP). He also retired 11 of 14 inherited runners. He'll compete for a bullpen job in spring training. The Mariners don't have a lot of left-handed relief options, which helps Olson's case.

2010

Injuries to teammates offered Olson an opportunity to state his case as a starting pitcher last season, but he pitched his way out of the rotation by late July, posting a 6.49 ERA in 11 starts with a 28:23 K:BB and 16 homers allowed in 52.2 innings. As a reliever he fared better (3.90 ERA), and that's where he'll likely end up this season. The Mariners don't have a lot of left-handed relief options, which helps Olson's case.

2009

Olson was given 26 starts in 2008, but he needed tons of run support to get to nine wins with his 6.65 ERA and 1.73 WHIP. Like several others in the Orioles system, Olson pitched better in the minors than in the majors and he has admitted that he may be nervous on the mound in big league parks. His star hasn't faded yet, but there is plenty to prove in spring training in order to earn a roster spot.

2008

Olson's introduction to major league hitting was predictably rough, at least in the sense that many Oriole pitching prospects have had trouble managing the transition. He'll be back to get another shot in 2008, although it may have to wait until later in the season, depending upon how the O's decide to sort out their newfound surfeit of options for the fourth and fifth spots in the rotation.

2007

Olson went 6-5 with a 3.42 ERA in 14 starts after being promoted to Double-A Bowie in 2006, with an 85/31 K/BB in 84 innings. On the year he went a combined 10-9 with a 3.10 ERA with a 162:50 K:BB ratio in 166 innings between Bowie and High-A Frederick. The 23-year-old made good progress this year but needs to make a couple of minor mechanical refinements to solidify his command. He will move to Triple-A in 2007, with a shot in the majors in the second half if he pitches well.

2006

Selected in the first round of the 2005 draft, Olson ripped through the short-season New York-Penn League before performing well in three starts at High-A Frederick, ending the season with a 1.99 ERA and 59 strikeouts in 54 1/3 innings. In an organization desperate for pitching talent, the 22-year-old is likely to be fast-tracked through the system, and if he can handle the pressure he's definitely someone to keep an eye on in keeper leagues.