Scott Olsen... Really?

by gondeee on Nov 8, 2008 11:40 AM EST Comment 18 comments

Investigating several different avenues to improve their rotation, the Atlanta Braves, in addition to talking trade with San Diego for Jake Peavy, also have approached the Florida Marlins about left-hander Scott Olsen (8-11, 4.20 ERA in 33 starts in 2008). Texas also is believed to have inquired about Olsen, who is eligible for arbitration this winter.

I always thought Olsen was considered a hot-head. I remember clashes between him and Joe Girardi when he managed the Marlins -- kind of a strange personality to add to the Braves clubhouse. Here are his stats from last year:

	W-L	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	BS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
2008 - Scott Olsen	8-11	33	33	0	0	0	0	201.2	195	106	94	30	69	113	4.20	1.31

He still seems to have mid-to-bottom-half of the rotation stamped on his forehead. I'd also be scared way off by the 30 homeruns -- almost one per start. If he's the second or third guy we get, then that may be a decent pickup, but I'd imagine the price on him is far more than he is really worth.

The most likely scenario for this rumor is that the Braves are just putting feelers out everywhere in an effort to guage the market more than they're really trying to acquire Olsen.

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I guess I should be one to talk.
There's nights that I can't even walk.
There's days I couldn't give a fuck.
And in between is where I'm stuck.

by Smoltz's Beard on Nov 8, 2008 3:18 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Nice mugshot

by BravesFan on Nov 8, 2008 3:28 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Those 30 HR came in a home park that tends to reduce homers

by BraveBronco0121 on Nov 8, 2008 5:02 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

So he's Chuck James

After taking a closer look, they actually throw the same two pitches. Here’s Josh Kalk’s player card on Olsen.

In 2008, Olsen average 88.1 MPH on his fastball and 81.2 MPH on his change. Chuck James in 2007 averaged 88.7 MPH on his fastball and 77.85 MPH on his changeup. Both have a lot of movement on their fastballs, but Olsen has a bit more. James’s has a lot more drop on his changeup and the speed difference is much better. Olsen had a 91 MPH fastball in 2007 though. Wonder where those 3 MPH went.

by VictorW on Nov 8, 2008 6:45 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

dude is a headcase, and bobby doesn’t mesh well with those.

the career WHIP of 1.45 makes me throw up in my mouth too. as do the horrendous K & HR rates

Following the Braves...one long hard drink at a time.

by bigjoe on Nov 8, 2008 9:27 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I just threw up in my mouth too

but it was more from the mixture of beer and eggs…

Horrible WHIP, no doubt about it. Too many better options out there than Olsen. I would not give up much for this sack.

And at his age, as Victor alluded to, he should be adding MPH on the fastball, not losing them. Something isn’t right with this kid, either mentally or mechanically, and it could be fixed by the right pitching coach. I know he had a sore shoulder early on this year, which may have hampered his delivery.

All things considered equal, it doesn’t matter because he will wind up in Texas.

by TheSportsIdiot on Nov 9, 2008 12:14 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Get him

Scott has always had a good fastball and a decent 2nd pitch. The reason he’s never had a breakout season is the same reason that Oliver Perez never did either. (though Perez does have better pure stuff).

Control, and the inability to not avoid big innings.

During the middle of this season FL’s pitching coach and Olsen started experimenting with speeding up BETWEEN pitches. Less thinking was more effective.

I believe he’ll be an upgrade to any left hander on the braves current roster.

1) We need a lefty and if he’s cheap. This is a cheap lottery. Maybe Roger can do something.

2) He had a 3.11 ERA in over 100 innings as home. This shows both potential AND immaturity as a young pitcher learning to control emotions/crowd

2) I disagree with the Chuck James comparison as Chucky had absolutely no mvt on his fastball. (a very hittable and easy to see pitch) His delivery was a bit funky and that’s why he had early success. Then the league adjusted.

by WhyBraves on Nov 9, 2008 8:43 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Or could it be, that Chucky was playing through a injury that took movement off his fastball? I’m not defending James by any means..but you’ve got to look at the big picture. He was injured basically for the last two years.

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by RainDelay on Nov 9, 2008 10:38 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

sure, I’d like to believe he was injured as well, but not until James prove it by having a stellar spring.

by WhyBraves on Nov 9, 2008 11:23 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Are you kidding?

You would like to believe he was injured? The guy pitched with THE WORST INJURY a pitcher can sustain. Torn rotator cuff and labrum.

The guy will be lucky to come back at all, much less spring. Even the Braves aren’t looking for anything from him until at least the all-star break. Might want to do a lookup before your next post.

by scstrato on Nov 9, 2008 11:55 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, didn’t the doctor say something to the effect that he was shocked that Chuckie could even lift his arm, much less pitch in a major league game?

by cbwilk on Nov 10, 2008 12:46 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Yup.

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by RainDelay on Nov 10, 2008 1:31 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Guys, I agree.......Chucky should not be in the braves plans (whatever the reason)

by WhyBraves on Nov 10, 2008 5:22 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I’m not putting too much stock in this rumor. Its the time of year where not much is happening on the player movement front, so stories like this are created to sell papers (or, in our time, clicks).

by VegasAces on Nov 10, 2008 2:53 PM EST reply actions 0 recs