“Brian was a two-time MVP here. Then his junior year, a pro scout told him he needed to hit with more power. That took away from what type of hitter Brian truly is, at this point, a very solid gap-to-gap hitter who uses all fields. I believe he will continue to hit and power comes with pitch recognition and a ton of at bats. There will be a time you will see the power numbers go up as well.”
Harrel continued, “Brian had a tremendous work ethic. He always hustled and never let failure bring him down. His arm defensively drew a lot of pro attention because of its strength and his quick release.”
There is a little background on the backstop. Enjoy the following Q&A, getting to know Twins minor league catcher Brian Olson.
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Seth Stohs: Growing up in Washington, can I make an assumption on who your favorite team was to follow? Who were some of your favorite players?
Brian Olson: I enjoyed watching the Mariners. My favorite players growing up were Ken Griffey Jr. and Mike Cameron.
Seth Stohs: It sounds like you played on some really good high school teams. What are some of your best memories, baseball or other activities?
Brian Olson: My best baseball memory from high school was playing at Safeco Field for the State playoffs. My best personal moment was hitting a walk-off home run on the last game at our home field my senior season.
Seth Stohs: You stayed near home and went to Seattle University where you played for four years. What were your best moments on the baseball team, individual or team-wise?
Brian Olson: My best team moment from Seattle University baseball was playing in the WAC tournament twice. My best personal moment was hitting a walk-off home run against Utah Valley during my senior season.
Seth Stohs: What was your interaction with scouts before the draft? Did you think you might be drafted?
Brian Olson: I had high hopes for getting drafted and was talking to quite a few teams.
Seth Stohs: The Twins took you in the 34th round. How did you find out you had been drafted?
Brian Olson: I was actually hanging out with a friend watching the draft on the computer, and when my name popped up on the screen I missed it because I was busy talking to him. My scout called me and told me to check the computer. It was very exciting.
Seth Stohs: What was the biggest adjustment you had to make, going from amateur/college season to the pro game, on or off the field?
Brian Olson: The biggest adjustment was handling the pitching staff because many of them don't speak English very well.
Seth Stohs: In these very early stages of your career, what would you say are your biggest strengths as a player?
Brian Olson: I would say my biggest strength is being able to control my emotions when I have bad games and separate my offense from defense.
Seth Stohs: What are the things that you feel you need to improve over the offseason and going forward?
Brian Olson: I definitely need to get bigger, stronger, and faster. Those are my main priorities currently.
Seth Stohs: What are your plans for the offseason? When do you start preparing for the 2016 season, but also what do you enjoy doing away from the game of baseball?
Brian Olson: This offseason I got married and continue to train every day. I really enjoy spending time with my twin brother Kevin.
Seth Stohs: Who are some of the coaches and others who have helped you get to this point in your career?
Brian Olson: My Dad has been the biggest influence and support in getting me to where I am today. I have a hitting coach and mentor named Brett Jaime who has been a huge part of my career for years. My coaches at Seattle University were awesome and poured a lot into me as well. Most importantly, all the glory goes to God.
Seth Stohs: Favorite Baseball Movie?
Brian Olson: I love the movie Angels in the Outfield.
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A big Thank You to Brian Olson for taking time to respond to our questions. Please feel free to ask questions in the Comments below.
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