DETROIT — Wins have always been the measure of a pitcher’s worth and dominance in Major League Baseball.
But it also may be the most misleading stat ever created. Gainesville native and current Detroit Tiger Reese Olson is proving just that.
The former North Hall standout is fourth in MLB in ERA (1.92), and his WHIP (walks and hits to innings pitched) ratio is 7th in the league (1.05). Yet it wasn’t until May 25 that he got his first win of the season (1-5).
Olson has been that hard-luck guy in the Tigers rotation that every team has. In 2024, he has 10 starts, going 56 1/3 innings so far, roughly the same pace of output as last season. However, he has allowed two earned runs or fewer in 9 of them. He came out of the game five times, having allowed no runs in five or more innings.
The 24-year-old looks more comfortable in his second season, citing “a better understanding” of what is required to produce quality starts at the big-league level. He started 18 games in 21 appearances in 2023, posting a 5-7 record with 103 strikeouts in 103 1/3 innings. He averaged 5 2/3 innings per outing after being called up from Toledo in late May.
“I don’t think comfortable is the right word,” Olson said in a text on Wednesday. “But I know what it takes to put together good starts now."
The tall right-hander drew attention in high school with a five-pitch arsenal, and he continues to develop all of them -- with help. He insists he has added nothing new to his repertoire.
“No, no new pitches. Just using them in a good way and trusting my catchers and scouting reports,” he said. “I feel like I’m throwing competitive strikes in the zone with all five of my pitches right now.”
Like most pitchers, he’s “not worried about my record, just about being competitive every time I go out.”
But he is coming off his first win of the season, a three-hit gem in 6 1/3 innings, allowing no runs and striking out four in a 2-1 Tigers win over the Toronto Blue Jays.
He is hoping to keep that momentum moving forward, especially with the Tigers heading to Atlanta for a three-game series beginning June 17-19 with the Braves at Truist Park.
Barring rainouts or some other unforeseen issue, Olson is scheduled to pitch Game 2 of that series in the home of his former favorite team. It will be his first time pitching in his home state.
“I’m excited to have a chance to pitch close to home for the first time,” he said. “I’m sure a lot of people will show up when we are in Atlanta.”
Olson’s next scheduled start is Saturday against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park.
