Garrett Olson is tied for the league lead in walks so far this spring, with eight. Jonathan Sanchez, who also has eight, has faced 14 more hitters, and struck out four times as many bats.
Players Olson has walked:
Andres Torres
Edgar Renteria
Travis Adair
Mark Kotsay
Aaron Cunningham
Chris Denorfia
Oscar Salazar
Will Venable
In November 2006, Baseball America looked at the Orioles and said Garrett Olson had the best curveball, the best changeup, and the best command of any pitcher in the system. Said BA:
If you're looking for the safest bet in this system to pitch in the big leagues, Olson is it.
Garrett Olson has pitched in the big leagues, 64 times. And to show for it, he has a 6.46 ERA.
I refuse to give up all hope on Olson. This is a guy who, in AAA, has struck out nearly a batter an inning. There's something in there that has worked fairly well against reasonably advanced competition. I just haven't the foggiest idea what it is, and since arriving in Seattle, he's been one of the worst pitchers I've ever seen.
Garrett Olson is 26 years old. Garrett Olson is 26 years old, and he's almost out of chances.