• Full name Matthew Kent Olson
  • Born 03/29/1994 in Atlanta, GA
  • Profile Ht.: 6'5" / Wt.: 225 / Bats: L / Throws: R
  • School Parkview
  • Debut 09/12/2016
  • Drafted in the C-A round (47th overall) by the Oakland Athletics in 2012 (signed for $1,079,700).
    View Draft Report
    Olson pitches (righthanded) and hits for Parkview, also known as Jeff Francoeur's alma mater, and has one of the draft's sweeter lefthanded swings. Olson has had a big spring, homering off the nation's top prep lefthander, Max Fried, during the National High School Invitational, and has pitched well also, going 11-0, 1.24. Olson's arm strength would come in handy in the outfield if he could run, and some team might try him in left field, but he's generally considered a plodder and well-below-average runner. His value is in his bat, and scouts think he'll be an above-average hitter for average and power. He shows natural hitting rhythm and a graceful, low-maintenance swing, and his knack for finding the barrel of the bat and good strength help him drive the ball to all fields. Olson is committed to Vanderbilt as a two-way player and could contribute on the mound, but scouts in Georgia aren't convinced he'll be a tough sign and believe he wants to play pro ball. Florida prep first baseman Dan Vogelbach was a second-rounder last year, and while most scouts liked Vogelbach's power potential better, Olson should still go in about the same draft range if teams believe he's signable.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

Draft Prospects

Minor League Top Prospects

Best Tools List

  • Rated Best Power Prospect in the California League in 2014
  • Rated Best Defensive 1B in the California League in 2014
  • Rated Best Power Hitter in the Oakland Athletics in 2014

Scouting Reports

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