• Full name Garrett Thomas Olson
  • Born 03/10/1985 in Norway, ME
  • Profile Ht.: 6'2" / Wt.: 200 / Bats: R / Throws: R
  • School Franklin Pierce
  • Drafted in the 4th round (126th overall) by the Minnesota Twins in 2006 (signed for $250,000).
    View Draft Report
    Olson has a tools package similar to that of Wake Forest's Matt Antonelli, another New England native who figures to be drafted a few rounds higher than Olson because he owns a plus tool--speed--that Olson lacks. Olson is an excellent athlete with four average tools and an above-average arm. He was versatile enough move from third base, where he played his first two seasons at Franklin Pierce, to shortstop this year, and he played center field for Keene in the New England Collegiate League in the summer of 2004. Olson has also served as Franklin Pierce's emergency catcher, where his short arm action and plus arm strength have intrigued some clubs. Most scouts see him at second base or third base, but he could remain at short until he proves he can't handle the position. Offensively, Olson has shown average power in the Northeast-10 Conference, which uses wood bats. He controls his hands and upper body well at the plate, although he can get caught diving out over the plate now and then because his stance places most of his weight on his back leg, and he taps his left toe like Dwight Evans used to. Still, Olson has good bat speed, a good approach and makes consistent line-drive contact to the gaps with occasional home run pop. His total package is greater than the sum of its parts.

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