Steve Olsen

Stephen Paul Olsen

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 4", Weight 225 lb.
• School Eastern Kentucky University

• Born November 2, 1969 in Louisville, KY USA

BR Minors page

Biographical Information

Steve Olsen pitched in the minor leagues from 1991 to 1997. Though he spent parts of four seasons at Triple-A, he never ascended to the majors.

He was taken by the Chicago White Sox in the 7th round of the 1991 amateur draft, one pick after infielder Tony Womack. He was 6-2 with a 3.20 ERA in 15 starts between the Utica Blue Sox and South Bend White Sox that year, and in his sophomore campaign, he was 17-5 with a 2.45 ERA in 25 starts between the Sarasota White Sox and Birmingham Barons. He was then named the White Sox #5 prospect by Baseball America for 1993, between Larry Thomas and Johnny Ruffin. After a 10-9, 4.75 campaign with Birmingham in 1993, he reached Triple-A for the first time in 1994, going 7-2 with a 3.28 ERA in 11 starts for the Nashville Sounds; he was 12-9, 3.52 on the year as a whole, having spent most the season with Birmingham. He slipped to 9-10, 4.10 in 1995, then joined the Kansas City Royals chain for 1996. That year, he was 13-4 with a 4.02 ERA in 39 games (7 starts) between two clubs. In 1997, he went 6-5, 4.91 in 25 games (15 starts) to wrap up his career.

Overall, Olsen went 73-44 with a 3.79 ERA in 184 games (142 starts). In 959 1/3 innings, he allowed 930 hits and 315 walks (1.298 WHIP), while striking out 677 batters. At Triple-A, he was 19-18 with a 4.77 ERA in 71 games (42 starts).