The Detroit Tigers couldn’t stay completely still at the deadline.
Amid a fairly competitive season, but one that won’t end in a playoff berth, the Tigers have been rather inactive on the trade market. But a few hours before Friday’s trade deadline, the Tigers gained a little farm system depth.
Reese Olson, a right-handed minor leaguer, comes to the organization from the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for left-handed reliever Daniel Norris.
The Brewers took Olson in the 13th round of the 2018 draft, and he’s yet to pitch past Single-A. He was not invited to spring training this year, but he and a select group of Brewers prospects were present for the preseason and saw how the major leaguers prepare.
Olson, who turns 22 on Saturday, is a high-strikeout pitcher who’s been on a hot streak for High-A Wisconsin. He pitched earlier this week vs. the South Bend Cubs, allowing no runs and a hit in five innings.
He allowed more than two or fewer in four of his five July starts, racking up 24 strikeouts and ceding nine earned runs in 25 2/3 innings.
For the season, Olson (5-4) has a 4.30 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and .228 opponents batting average over 14 starts for the Timbler Rattlers. Olson’s struck out 79 batters and walked 35 in 69 innings while allowing 33 earned runs and five homers.
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His strikeout total and strikeout rate (10.3 per 9 innings pitched) are third among qualified High-A Central pitchers, according to the Tigers. He’s also top 10 in opponents batting average, innings pitched and WHIP.
In his minor league career, Olson has made 45 appearances (30 starts) going 9-13 record with a 4.55 ERA, 88 earned runs and 169 strikeouts across 174 innings
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