Tyler Olson

Olson did not allow an earned run over 30 appearances (20 innings) for the Indians in 2017. His skills are good -- 8.1 K/9, 2.7 BB/9, 0.00 HR/9 -- but the home-run rate in particular is an outlier compared to his body of work in the upper level of the minors and and at other minor-league stops. Olson doesn't throw hard, but he was used as a starter earlier in his career, so he mixes three pitches as a reliever effectively, including a high-80s fastball, a curveball, and a changeup. At a minimum, he'll continue to get chances to keep opposing lefty bats quiet, as he limited lefties to a .158/.244/.216 line last season. If he continues to get the bulk of his outs on the ground, it's reasonable to think that Olson has the potential earn big-league paychecks as a steady middle reliever for years to come.

A starter in the minors in 2014, Olson made the roster out of spring training last year as the second lefty in the bullpen. He lasted only 11 appearances, though, before his 10 walks and eight strikeouts in 13.1 innings were jettisoned along with his 5.40 ERA. He fared better at Triple-A Tacoma (25 games, six starts), posting a 3.12 K:BB ratio and a 4.47 ERA that was in part a product of a .352 BABIP. A 2013 seventh-round pick out of Gonzaga, Olson doesn't throw hard, relying on a high-80s cutter, but he has a deceptive delivery that changes arm angles to keep batters off balance. His slider is his best pitch to lefties, but he also throws a curveball and changeup. He made six starts in the Dominican winter league with little success (5.91 ERA). He was designated for assignment in December and subsequently traded to the Dodgers, who then designated him in January.