Jon Olsen

Olsen pitched well when he was on the mound this year, but staying on the mound was a problem. After showing well for USA Baseball's Collegiate National Team last summer, Olsen had an emergency appendectomy in January, took a horrific line drive off his face in March that required orbital bone surgery, and in May had season-ending elbow surgery. In between it all, Olsen pitched to a 2.20 ERA in six starts, earning wide admiration for his toughness. The 6-foot-3 Olson relies on pitchability and craftiness to succeed. His fastball sits 88-89 mph and touches 91, but it plays up with command and running life. Olsen particularly excels at pitching inside with his fastball and elevating it. Olsen's best secondaries are his potential above-average slider and average curveball, and he also has a firm changeup that is fringe-average but usable. Olsen lacks big stuff, but he pitches off guts and command and hasn't failed yet. His latest elbow injury may cause him to return to school for his senior year.