This Fall Vote NO on Scott Olsen

This offseason is probably going to revolve around catching and pitching in Arlington. As we’ve looked at relatively extensively so far the Rangers have a large surplus of Major League ready catching and they have a glaring need on the pitching front. Mike Bernadino today wondered in his column if the Rangers might offer a catcher for young lefty Scott Olsen. They might, but if they do the Rangers better be careful.

Olsen is a soon to be 25 year old lefty who has pitched roughly at the league average throughout his young career when you glance over his rough 2007. Olsen has yet to enter his prime so undoubtedly there is some room for optimism that he may grow into a more effective pitcher. He also hasn’t come completely out of nowhere. He ranked #34 on Baseball America’s Top 100 list in 2006 and #38 on the 2005 version of the list. Baseball Prospectus has touted his great on-the-mound demeanor as well. He appears to be the total package.

The problem with bringing Scott Olsen to Arlington all falls back on results. In 2006 Olsen struck out nearly a batter an inning while walking nearly 4 batters per nine innings. Terrific numbers from a 22 year old rookie left-hander for sure, but In 2007 and 2008 Olsen regressed. He topped 200 IP for the first time in 2008, and cleaned up his walk totals, but he did so at the expense of his strikeout rate. 113 strikeouts in 201 innings will not cut it in Arlington. Olsen also has a “small” issue with pitching on the road where his era jumps nearly 2 runs.

Olsen has made improvements. In 2008 he trimmed his WHIP and his walk rate considerably which lowered his era to 4.20. It’s entirely possible that his strikeout rate will come back as he continues to make adjustments. If you’re the Rangers though can you make a deal for a young pitcher with warts when it will likely impede your ability to make other deals with your catching surplus? I don’t think you can.

This offseason needs to be about significant improvement instead of just shuffling the deck. Olsen has the potential to be a good pitcher, but at some point the Rangers need to hang their hat on something with more substance. Substance is a hard thing to find in a young pitcher so the Rangers just may end up acquiring Olsen. He may also rediscover his strikeouts in Arlington, but Scott Olsen CANNOT be the crowning achievement of this offseason under any circumstances. Aim higher Rangers, please, for the children.

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Last post (s) by Josh Lile

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