I had to respond. His 160 or so innings in the majors have been horrible, and he’s been, by most accounts, not the same pitcher he was in the minors. That said, he was a very intriguing prospect, middle of the rotation “typical” lefty. Excellent minor league track record, solid lefty stuff (low 90’s fastball, big curve, a solid changeup). There’s a reason teams were intrigued with him.

This isn’t to say he will or won’t succeed. After minor league numbers are minor league numbers … they don’t mean that much. Maybe the 160 or so innings are a true indication of his ability. Wouldn’t be the first time a guy with typical lefty stuff flopped, and it won’t be the last. That said, the Orioles did rush him up (while he is 25, he was a college arm and reached the pros in his 3rd year). Wouldn’t be the first time a prospect was rushed up and flopped, and it won’t be the last.

The Mariners had a somewhat similar arm in Ryan Rowland-Smith. Add in Bedard and Washburn claiming rotation spots, and the Mariners in a rebuild mode, and there was no need to keep Olson in the majors. I wouldn’t read the demotion as anything more than a numbers situation for now. Again, maybe he flops like no other. Wouldn’t be shocked. But he’s an intriguing enough arm that I wouldn’t write off just yet.