Garrett Olson
Encyclopedia
Garrett Andrew Olson is a Major League Baseball
pitcher
currently in the Pittsburgh Pirates
organization.
in Clovis, California
. He played for the Anchorage Bucs
in the Alaska Baseball League
in 2004, going 7–0 with a 0.88 ERA
, and was a Summer League First-Team All-America
n starting pitcher.
for college, where in his last year he was 12–4 with a 2.71 ERA. In 2005, he was a Big West Conference
All-Star starting pitcher. Olson is just a few credits short of an engineering degree.
as a sandwich pick between the 1st and 2nd rounds (48th overall) of the 2005 draft
.
He spent most of the 2005 season
at Single-A Aberdeen IronBirds
, and was named the 8th-best prospect in the New York-Penn League. He allowed one run or fewer in 10 of his 11 games. He pitched 6 scoreless innings, allowing one hit
and striking out
8, in his last start on August 15 at Staten Island. Olson then pitched for the Single-A Frederick Keys
, held opponents to a .192 batting average
, and was named the Orioles' 6th-best prospect by Baseball America
following the season.
In , he advanced from Single-A Frederick to Double-A Bowie, going a combined 10–9 with a 3.10 ERA, and striking out 162 batters in 165.2 innings. He was again named the Orioles' 6th-best prospect by Baseball America following the season, and was named the Baltimore Orioles Minor League Player of the Year.
Olson was invited to the All-Star Futures Game. He was called up by the Orioles organization to be a starting pitcher again after July 4 start in Chicago. He was mentioned, but did not participate in the All-Star Futures Game
, representing the United States team.
Through 2007, in his minor league career he was 21–17 with a 2.95 ERA, and had averaged 7.37 hits and 8.82 strikeouts per 9 innings.
Olson was promoted from the Triple-A Norfolk Tides
to take the place of injured Orioles starter Steve Trachsel
, and he made his major league debut on Independence Day
of 2007 against the Chicago White Sox
. He would have earned the win
in his debut, but he only pitched 4⅓ innings, falling two outs shy of the 5 innings required to qualify for a win. He earned his first career win in his next start, also against the White Sox, on July 14. He gave up 2 runs in 5⅓ innings, both on solo home run
s by Jermaine Dye
, and the Orioles went on to win 5–3.
Olson committed his first career error
in his debut on July 4. After allowing the first batter he faced in his career, left fielder
Andy González, to reach base via a walk
, he made a throwing error on a pickoff
attempt, allowing Gonzalez to reach second base. His first career strikeout came three batters later, as Paul Konerko
was called out on a 2–2 pitch.
On June 28, 2008, Olson earned his first career hit vs. the Washington Nationals
against Jesús Colomé
in the sixth inning.
He went to 3–0 on 8% of all batters he faced in 2008, the highest percentage in the majors.
with a minor-leaguer for Félix Pie
. Just 10 days later, he was traded along with Ronny Cedeño
to the Seattle Mariners
for Aaron Heilman
.
On April 1, 2009, Olson was optioned to Triple-A Tacoma
to begin the season. He was called up on May 6 because of an injury to relief pitcher Shawn Kelley
. Olson soon took the rotation spot from teammate Chris Jakubauskas
.
He compiled a 3.72 ERA in 12 relief appearances covering 19 1/3 innings. In 11 starts, he is 3–5 with a 6.49 ERA through August 10. This is why he was sent to the bull pen to become a reliever. Olson stated he felt comfortable in both roles.
Olson was again optioned to Triple-A Tacoma on August 20 to clear roster space for Infielder Bill Hall.
On September 13 Olson was called-up again to the Mariners. This is his third stint with the team in '09. With Tacoma, Olson went 2–3 with a 4.94 ERA and notched the Rainiers' only playoff win against the Sacramento River Cats
.
. He was designated for assignment on April 17.
in college.
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
currently in the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
organization.
High school
Olson attended Buchanan High SchoolBuchanan High School
Dr. Floyd B. Buchanan High School, known as Buchanan High School, is a four-year public high school in Clovis, California, United States. The school is part the Buchanan Educational Center, which houses approximately 5,000 students at Garfield Elementary School , Alta Sierra Intermediate School ,...
in Clovis, California
Clovis, California
Clovis is a city in Fresno County, California, United States, northeast of Fresno. The population is estimated to be 97,218 as of September, 2011. Clovis is located northeast of downtown Fresno, at an elevation of 361 feet .-History:...
. He played for the Anchorage Bucs
Anchorage Bucs Baseball Club
The Anchorage Bucs Baseball Club is a college summer baseball team in Anchorage, Alaska. The team has been a member of the Alaska Baseball League since 1981....
in the Alaska Baseball League
Alaska Baseball League
The Alaska Baseball League is an amateur collegiate summer baseball league, with six teams located in four Alaskan cities. Players in the league must have attended one year of college and must have one year of NCAA eligibility remaining....
in 2004, going 7–0 with a 0.88 ERA
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
, and was a Summer League First-Team All-America
All-America
An All-America team is an honorary sports team composed of outstanding amateur players—those considered the best players of a specific season for each team position—who in turn are given the honorific "All-America" and typically referred to as "All-American athletes", or simply...
n starting pitcher.
College
He attended Cal Poly-San Luis ObispoCalifornia Polytechnic State University
California Polytechnic State University, or Cal Poly, is a public university located in San Luis Obispo, California, United States. The university is one of two polytechnic campuses in the 23-member California State University system....
for college, where in his last year he was 12–4 with a 2.71 ERA. In 2005, he was a Big West Conference
Big West Conference
The Big West Conference is an NCAA-affiliated Division I mid-major college athletic conference. When the conference began in 1969, its name was the Pacific Coast Athletic Association . After nineteen years, in 1988, its name was changed to the Big West Conference. The conference stopped...
All-Star starting pitcher. Olson is just a few credits short of an engineering degree.
Baltimore Orioles
Olson was drafted by the Baltimore OriolesBaltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
as a sandwich pick between the 1st and 2nd rounds (48th overall) of the 2005 draft
2005 Major League Baseball Draft
The 2005 First-Year Player Draft, Major League Baseball's annual amateur draft, was held on June 7 and 8. It was conducted via conference call with representatives from each of the league's 30 teams...
.
He spent most of the 2005 season
2005 Major League Baseball season
Click on any series score to link to that series' page.Higher seed had home field advantage during Division Series and League Championship Series.The American League champion had home field advantage during the World Series as a result of the AL victory in the 2005 All-Star...
at Single-A Aberdeen IronBirds
Aberdeen IronBirds
The Aberdeen IronBirds are a Short-Season A classification affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles. The IronBirds play in the New York - Penn League and are based in Aberdeen, Maryland, which is in Harford County....
, and was named the 8th-best prospect in the New York-Penn League. He allowed one run or fewer in 10 of his 11 games. He pitched 6 scoreless innings, allowing one hit
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
and striking out
Strikeout
In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....
8, in his last start on August 15 at Staten Island. Olson then pitched for the Single-A Frederick Keys
Frederick Keys
The Frederick Keys minor league baseball team is the "High-A" class A baseball affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles. The Keys are based in Frederick, Maryland. The franchise is named for Star Spangled Banner poet Francis Scott Key, a native of Frederick County. The team mascot is a coyote known as...
, held opponents to a .192 batting average
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
, and was named the Orioles' 6th-best prospect by Baseball America
Baseball America
Baseball America is a magazine which covers baseball at every level, with a particular focus on up-and-coming players in high school, college, Japan, and the minor leagues. It is currently published in the form of a bi-weekly newspaper, five annual reference book titles, a weekly podcast, and a...
following the season.
In , he advanced from Single-A Frederick to Double-A Bowie, going a combined 10–9 with a 3.10 ERA, and striking out 162 batters in 165.2 innings. He was again named the Orioles' 6th-best prospect by Baseball America following the season, and was named the Baltimore Orioles Minor League Player of the Year.
Olson was invited to the All-Star Futures Game. He was called up by the Orioles organization to be a starting pitcher again after July 4 start in Chicago. He was mentioned, but did not participate in the All-Star Futures Game
All-Star Futures Game
The All-Star Futures Game is an annual baseball exhibition game between a team of top minor league prospects from the United States and a team of prospects from other parts of the World...
, representing the United States team.
Through 2007, in his minor league career he was 21–17 with a 2.95 ERA, and had averaged 7.37 hits and 8.82 strikeouts per 9 innings.
Olson was promoted from the Triple-A Norfolk Tides
Norfolk Tides
The Norfolk Tides are a minor league baseball team in the Triple-A International League. They play at Harbor Park in Norfolk, Virginia. Since 2007 they have been a farm team of the Baltimore Orioles; prior to that, they had a 38-year affiliation with the New York Mets.-Franchise history:The...
to take the place of injured Orioles starter Steve Trachsel
Steve Trachsel
Stephen Christopher Trachsel , nicknamed "The Human Rain Delay", is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He is known for the long amount of time he takes to deliver the ball to home plate in between pitches. Games in which he pitches are known to be considerably longer than most games, leading...
, and he made his major league debut on Independence Day
Independence Day (United States)
Independence Day, commonly known as the Fourth of July, is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, declaring independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain...
of 2007 against the Chicago White Sox
2007 Chicago White Sox season
The Chicago White Sox' 2007 season started off with the White Sox trying to re-claim the AL Central title, an achievement they last achieved in 2005, when they went on the win the 2005 World Series. They failed to win consecutive AL Central championships when the Minnesota Twins won it in 2006. ...
. He would have earned the win
Win (baseball)
In professional baseball, there are two types of decisions: a win and a loss . In each game, one pitcher on the winning team is awarded a win and one pitcher on the losing team is given a loss in their respective statistics. These pitchers are collectively known as the pitchers of record. Only...
in his debut, but he only pitched 4⅓ innings, falling two outs shy of the 5 innings required to qualify for a win. He earned his first career win in his next start, also against the White Sox, on July 14. He gave up 2 runs in 5⅓ innings, both on solo home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
s by Jermaine Dye
Jermaine Dye
Jermaine Trevell Dye is a retired American Major League Baseball right fielder and designated hitter. Dye played with the Atlanta Braves , Kansas City Royals , Oakland Athletics , and the Chicago White Sox . Dye won the World Series MVP with the White Sox in 2005...
, and the Orioles went on to win 5–3.
Olson committed his first career error
Error (baseball)
In baseball statistics, an error is the act, in the judgment of the official scorer, of a fielder misplaying a ball in a manner that allows a batter or baserunner to reach one or more additional bases, when such an advance would have been prevented given ordinary effort by the fielder.The term ...
in his debut on July 4. After allowing the first batter he faced in his career, left fielder
Left fielder
In baseball, a left fielder is an outfielder who plays defense in left field. Left field is the area of the outfield to the left of a person standing at home plate and facing towards the pitcher's mound...
Andy González, to reach base via a walk
Base on balls
A base on balls is credited to a batter and against a pitcher in baseball statistics when a batter receives four pitches that the umpire calls balls. It is better known as a walk. The base on balls is defined in Section 2.00 of baseball's Official Rules, and further detail is given in 6.08...
, he made a throwing error on a pickoff
Pickoff
In baseball, a pickoff is an act by a pitcher or a catcher, throwing a live ball to a fielder so that the fielder can tag out a baserunner who is either leading off or about to begin stealing the next base....
attempt, allowing Gonzalez to reach second base. His first career strikeout came three batters later, as Paul Konerko
Paul Konerko
Paul Henry Konerko is an American professional baseball first baseman who has played for the Chicago White Sox of Major League Baseball since 1999. He previously played with the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Cincinnati Reds . Konerko helped the Chicago White Sox win the 2005 World Series, the...
was called out on a 2–2 pitch.
On June 28, 2008, Olson earned his first career hit vs. the Washington Nationals
Washington Nationals
The Washington Nationals are a professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C. The Nationals are a member of the Eastern Division of the National League of Major League Baseball . The team moved into the newly built Nationals Park in 2008, after playing their first three seasons in RFK Stadium...
against Jesús Colomé
Jesús Colomé
Jesús Colomé de la Cruz is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher with the Colorado Rockies organization.-Oakland Athletics:...
in the sixth inning.
He went to 3–0 on 8% of all batters he faced in 2008, the highest percentage in the majors.
Seattle Mariners
On January 18, , Olson was traded to the Chicago CubsChicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
with a minor-leaguer for Félix Pie
Felix Pie
Félix Pie is a Dominican professional baseball outfielder who is a free agent. He has previously played for the Chicago Cubs and Baltimore Orioles.-Minor league career:...
. Just 10 days later, he was traded along with Ronny Cedeño
Ronny Cedeño
Ronny Alexander Cedeño is a Venezuelan Major League Baseball shortstop. He bats and throws right-handed and was born in Puerto Cabello, Venezuela...
to the Seattle Mariners
Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...
for Aaron Heilman
Aaron Heilman
Aaron Michael Heilman is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates of Major League Baseball. Heilman was drafted by the New York Mets out of Notre Dame in 2001. He came up through the Mets system as a starting pitcher but was converted to a relief pitcher in 2005...
.
On April 1, 2009, Olson was optioned to Triple-A Tacoma
Tacoma Rainiers
The Tacoma Rainiers are a minor league baseball team that plays in the Pacific Coast League , and are the Triple-A affiliate of the Seattle Mariners...
to begin the season. He was called up on May 6 because of an injury to relief pitcher Shawn Kelley
Shawn Kelley
Shawn Andrew Kelley is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher for the Seattle Mariners. He attended Ballard High School, and later Austin Peay State University. Kelley was drafted by the Mariners in the 2007 Major League Baseball Draft. He made his professional debut in 2007, and later made his...
. Olson soon took the rotation spot from teammate Chris Jakubauskas
Chris Jakubauskas
Christopher James "Chris" Jakubauskas is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Arizona Diamondbacks of Major League Baseball.-College career:...
.
He compiled a 3.72 ERA in 12 relief appearances covering 19 1/3 innings. In 11 starts, he is 3–5 with a 6.49 ERA through August 10. This is why he was sent to the bull pen to become a reliever. Olson stated he felt comfortable in both roles.
Olson was again optioned to Triple-A Tacoma on August 20 to clear roster space for Infielder Bill Hall.
On September 13 Olson was called-up again to the Mariners. This is his third stint with the team in '09. With Tacoma, Olson went 2–3 with a 4.94 ERA and notched the Rainiers' only playoff win against the Sacramento River Cats
Sacramento River Cats
The Sacramento River Cats is a minor league baseball team based in Sacramento, California. The team plays in the Pacific Coast League and is the Triple-A affiliate of Major League Baseball's Oakland Athletics....
.
Pittsburgh Pirates
On March 18, 2011, the Mariners placed Olson on waivers. He was later claimed off waivers by the Pittsburgh PiratesPittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
. He was designated for assignment on April 17.
Personal life
He currently resides in Clovis, California. He majored in mechanical engineeringMechanical engineering
Mechanical engineering is a discipline of engineering that applies the principles of physics and materials science for analysis, design, manufacturing, and maintenance of mechanical systems. It is the branch of engineering that involves the production and usage of heat and mechanical power for the...
in college.