Thanks For Yesterday Scott. Please Keep It Going.
Let me get this off to a positive start: Scott Olsen pitched a helluva game yesterday. Anytime a manager can trot his starting pitcher out to the mound for 8 2/3 innings he has to feel blessed. That’s exactly what Scott Olsen gave many Acta yesterday.
With that said, as I break down the performance yesterday, I am alarmed by a couple of things: He walked five batters and he seemed to miss the target with alarming frequency. Now, you readers may say, “but he still went 8 2/3 and if Manny had pulled him before letting him start the ninth inning, he would only have given up one run.” True. But he had a few things working for him.
First of all, Atlanta ranks below the National League average in runs per game. So Olsen wasn’t facing a high-powered offense. In fact, Atlanta’s OPS+ on the season is at 94 and Atlanta’s SLG% is well below league average. Atlanta also ranks below the league average in walks.
That said, Olsen seemed to leave pitches way up in the zone more frequently than I’d like to see.
With that said, as I break down the performance yesterday, I am alarmed by a couple of things: He walked five batters and he seemed to miss the target with alarming frequency. Now, you readers may say, “but he still went 8 2/3 and if Manny had pulled him before letting him start the ninth inning, he would only have given up one run.” True. But he had a few things working for him.
First of all, Atlanta ranks below the National League average in runs per game. So Olsen wasn’t facing a high-powered offense. In fact, Atlanta’s OPS+ on the season is at 94 and Atlanta’s SLG% is well below league average. Atlanta also ranks below the league average in walks.
That said, Olsen seemed to leave pitches way up in the zone more frequently than I’d like to see.
Olsen's Pitch Chart. 75:41 Strikes:Balls.
During the first few innings he seemed to turn around and look toward the skies over centerfield in disgust even when striking out batters because he seemed to be missing catcher Josh Bard’s targets frequently – and missing up, where typically a guy who maxes out at 94 MPH in velocity will get killed.
Luckily for Olsen, he was facing a relatively weaker hitting Atlanta lineup. If that was the Dodgers, Phillies or Rockies he might not have fared nearly as well.
But despite the control issues, Olsen’s velocity seems to be back to where it was before the Nationals traded for him. This comes as encouraging news because mechanics and location can be taught, velocity must come naturally and a lefty tossing 86 MPH (like Olsen was before going on the DL) is a recipe for disaster soufflé given Olsen’s lack of control.
Hopefully we’ll continue to see the velocity and we can work on his control. Because if he throws as hard as he did yesterday, Olsen would make a very solid starter for this franchise for years to come.
Luckily for Olsen, he was facing a relatively weaker hitting Atlanta lineup. If that was the Dodgers, Phillies or Rockies he might not have fared nearly as well.
But despite the control issues, Olsen’s velocity seems to be back to where it was before the Nationals traded for him. This comes as encouraging news because mechanics and location can be taught, velocity must come naturally and a lefty tossing 86 MPH (like Olsen was before going on the DL) is a recipe for disaster soufflé given Olsen’s lack of control.
Hopefully we’ll continue to see the velocity and we can work on his control. Because if he throws as hard as he did yesterday, Olsen would make a very solid starter for this franchise for years to come.
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