Get To Know: Catcher Brian Olson

KirbyDaisy · December 6, 2015

Most importantly, all the glory goes to God.

Well grounded young man.

Hosken Bombo Disco · December 7, 2015

I like this guy too.

ETA Sept 2018

Bob Sacamento · December 7, 2015

While in GCL, Olsen had a much further developed plate approach then the rest of the catchers on the team thus why he didn't stay here too long. What I was most impressed about was his defensive game; showing off good gamecalling framing, along with good pop times behind the plate. Even if there was a language barrier with some of the pitchers, Olsen didn't show it. As a 34th rounder, can't complain too much; his big test will be his first pro season in 2016.

clutterheart · December 8, 2015

Most importantly, all the glory goes to God.

Well grounded young man.

1st - That does not make him well grounded. I am sure lots of insane talk this way and say similar things.

2nd- Do they coach players to say this kind of nonsense? Virtually every prospect interview they say something similar.

Bob Sacamento · December 8, 2015

1st - That does not make him well grounded. I am sure lots of insane talk this way and say similar things.
2nd- Do they coach players to say this kind of nonsense? Virtually every prospect interview they say something similar.

You don't get too many players (especially newly drafted ones) saying something controversial, goal at this stage is stay out of the press.

Seth Stohs · December 8, 2015

That shouldn't be controversial, and it's part of who he is and what he believes. We want people to say things and show who they are beyond baseball and then then get criticized for doing so.

Whether or not that makes him grounded? I don't know, but I'm good with people discussing their faith. Good for him!

And no, they don't get coached to speak about such things.

Bob Sacamento · December 8, 2015

That shouldn't be controversial, and it's part of who he is and what he believes. We want people to say things and show who they are beyond baseball and then then get criticized for doing so.

Whether or not that makes him grounded? I don't know, but I'm good with people discussing their faith. Good for him!

And no, they don't get coached to speak about such things.

I've got no problem with him talking about God and don't consider it controversial. I'd consider him saying he worshipped Satan controversial or he thought the coaches sucked lol. Baseball is steeped with religion past and present, if a player feels it helps him - more power to him.

Hosken Bombo Disco · December 8, 2015

1st - That does not make him well grounded.

Maybe not, but look at the whole. He has a close family and network of support. Looks like he had a great college ball experience. And he says he "trains" every day. I love that word. There's a much different mindset behind that word, as opposed to "offseason workouts." Best of all, he is producing.

Loosey · December 9, 2015

Remember the last time the Twins had a catcher named Brian?!?! He was pretty good and the Twins won the World Series!

Good interview, Seth. Was he old for Elizabethton or is he about average age? Either way it's nice to see catcher in the org that may develop into a decent hitter. Hopefully he can continue to develop as he progresses through the system.

Seth Stohs · December 16, 2015

Remember the last time the Twins had a catcher named Brian?!?! He was pretty good and the Twins won the World Series!

Good interview, Seth. Was he old for Elizabethton or is he about average age? Either way it's nice to see catcher in the org that may develop into a decent hitter. Hopefully he can continue to develop as he progresses through the system.

If you ask some, a guy who spent three years in college is "too young for the Appy League." Olson went to school for four years. So yes, he's a year or so over the average age of the player.

But, I always think spending your first pro season (after being drafted) in the rookie leagues is important. They're learning a lot more than baseball during those two months.

Bob Sacamento · December 21, 2015

Video of Brian Olsen at the plate in GCL:

https://youtu.be/4sHUApOBSgg

nicksaviking · December 21, 2015

1st - That does not make him well grounded. I am sure lots of insane talk this way and say similar things.
2nd- Do they coach players to say this kind of nonsense? Virtually every prospect interview they say something similar.

I really feel that watching the documentary Bull Durham may be beneficial here, at least this part:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KeVca9MwDX8

His favorite players are Ken Griffey Jr and Mike Cameron? It seems a little funny as they were traded for each other.

I like the BB/K numbers. The real test for those figures will be full season ball, though probably at least a level higher than the Midwest League. Promising start though and if he can limit the strikeouts while finding ways to get on base, he'd certainly be a revelation for the Twins.

Edit: I removed the video and only copied the link as I can't recall if there are any naughty words uttered in that scene, I'd listen myself but I don't have my headphones at work.

nicksaviking · December 21, 2015

If you ask some, a guy who spent three years in college is "too young for the Appy League." Olson went to school for four years. So yes, he's a year or so over the average age of the player.

But, I always think spending your first pro season (after being drafted) in the rookie leagues is important. They're learning a lot more than baseball during those two months.

I'd also guess that catcher is a unique position in that every level wants experienced catchers handling the developmental pitchers. He could be down there not because he needs to be held back but simply because he's good at calling games and a 19-year-old catcher may not be.

Bob Sacamento · December 21, 2015

I'd also guess that catcher is a unique position in that every level wants experienced catchers handling the developmental pitchers. He could be down there not because he needs to be held back but simply because he's good at calling games and a 19-year-old catcher may not be.

Yeah no question that it was night and day difference when Olsen caught compared to HS kid like Kerby Camacho; the pitchers seemed more confident in their ability ie to spin off a breaking ball in the dirt etc.

Seth Stohs · December 21, 2015

I'd also guess that catcher is a unique position in that every level wants experienced catchers handling the developmental pitchers. He could be down there not because he needs to be held back but simply because he's good at calling games and a 19-year-old catcher may not be.

There's some of that, but at the same time, Cedar Rapids had Brian Navarreto and Brett Doe. Olson was in his pro debut... as a late round pick. They started him low and let him work his way up.

Mike Sixel · December 22, 2015

Given everyone else in the system, he had to start someplace. The key is what happens in the next couple years, imo. I think one of my kids almost applied to Seattle University, but it didn't make the final cut......

Good luck to him, and thanks for doing the interview.

Don't Feed the Greed Guy · April 9, 2017

Most importantly, all the glory goes to God.

Well grounded young man.

I looked up this article after visiting with Brian at Spring Training a few weeks ago. My 11 yr old son was attracted to "Olson" on the back of Brian's jersey. He brought a ball with him to the minor league fields.

Our boy asked Brian to sign, and I mentioned over his shoulder, "He's an Olson too."

That brought out even more character in Brian. He asked our boy if he plays baseball too. What position? Favorite player?

I don't know much about character from eavesdropping on a two-minute conversation with a ballplayer at the back end of a dugout. But what I saw was class.

Brian signed the ball for my boy, and in small letters wrote John 3:16 below his signature. The ball went into my boy's backpack, and didn't come out the rest of the day. That's the only signature he wanted on his ball.

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