1/25/21

Scouting Report - RHP - Wyatt Olds



Wyatt Olds

 

LHP    6-1    179    Oklahoma 

 

2020 Oklahoma stat line - 5-G, 2-starts, 4-0, 1.89, 19-IP, 29-K 


 

11-11-20 - Prospects Live Top 300 Prospect List - ​

 

100. Wyatt Olds - RHP

 

Bio:

Height: 6-1

Weight: 196 lbs

Hits/Throws: R-R

Hometown: McLoud, OK

School: Oklahoma

 

Big-time 3B orientation on his horizonatal approach angle allows his high spin stuff to play way, way up. Slider might have more perceived horizontal tilt that any other pitcher in the draft. Approach to the plate mirrors guys like Adam Ottavino. Furthermore, his lower release height and extension allow a low 90s fastball to blow up on hitters at the top of the zone. Sneaky good profile here that could move extremely fast in the bullpen 

 

Prospect Live -

 

Wyatt Olds

 

This little talked about right hander has first round stuff. His plus mid 90s fastball exceeds 2500 rpms, which is elite, and his breaking stuff is highly underrated. Olds is a great example of a guy where the metrics on his offspeed pitches do not tell the whole story. If you look at spin rates, spin axis, etc, one would assume that his slider (his go to secondary) would not have much bite. However, working from the 3rd base side of the rubber allows for it to travel that little bit farther (particularly when throwing glove side), resulting in some wicked hooking action. His extension, maxing out around 6.5 feet is great for a guy of his size, and his release height is rumored to be around or even under 5 feet (couldn’t ask for a better/flatter approach angle).

 

Mechanically he has a hitch in his windup after the initial leg raise, though it is part of his rhythm and is not detrimental to arm health (no excess arm drag), velocity, ability to locate, etc. He sits very well into his glutes, and creates good separation leading into his extension. Additionally, he stays closed extremely well, rotating at the very last moment to deliver pitches. This helps Olds get as much of the potential energy created by his elite extension and drive into the pitch as possible.

 

What I like most about him mechanically however is his unique armslot. Throwing semi-sidearm, his look is unconventional, and as stated earlier, further bolsters his sneaky good breaking stuff. The knock on Olds mechanically is the fact that he has a pretty violent delivery upon release. While smooth coming forward, he pulls his left shoulder before release to get more out of his fastball. This creates stress on the arm in the form of drag, which could lead to injury. Many scouts have seen this as well, though the fact that he has zero history of arm injuries tells me that he might be more durable than some project. The rotational correction could be made in a minor league program, which would eliminate the aforementioned drag.

 

He only weighs 179 lbs right now, and definitely can fill out more physically. As a result, I see him as a good comp to Max Meyer (3rd overall in 2020). His fastball profile (mph and rpm), plus extension, and low release point make the fastball come in flat, playing very well up in the zone (just like Meyer, and the aces discussed in the primer). At Oklahoma this year, he went 4–0 with a 1.89 ERA, a WHIP of 0.76, and a K/9 of 13.74 — all elite. He clearly has the mentality to do this, and projects to start in High A (a plus in getting him along quicker). I like Olds quite a bit, and if a team can get him a lower stress delivery, I see him as a guy that could become a top big league arm (he has the stuff for it).

  

Sooners Sports -

 

2019 [Freshman]: Selected to the Big 12 All-Freshman Team… made a team-high 31 appearances in relief… posted a 4.23 ERA and combined on three shutouts… struck out 37 batters in 27.2 innings… tied for the Big 12 lead and ranked 28th in the country with 31 appearances… tossed 23 scoreless outings… pitched a scoreless inning in his first collegiate appearance vs. Cal Poly (2/15)… began the season with 4.2 scoreless innings… struck out five in 2.2 frames at Rice (3/9)… pitched 2.0 hitless innings with two strikeouts at West Virginia (3/31)… tossed 1.2 scoreless innings at Baylor (4/12)… struck out three in 1.2 scoreless innings at Kansas State (4/27).


Mack's spin - 

I am sure Olds will be picked in the top three rounds.

A repeat of his 2020 stats in 2021 could up the results to a first round pick.

Me? I have others higher on my first and second round board but I would consider him if he is still around in the third.


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