Michael Olmsted

Michael Olmsted (born May 2, 1987) is a Minor League relief pitcher. Listed at 6 ft 6 in, 245 lbs., he bats and throws right-handed. He is currently a free agent.

Olmsted generally sits at 94–96 miles per hour with his fastball and also has a slider with tight break, showing the ability to project as a future major league reliever.

Olmsted was originally signed by the New York Mets in the ninth round of the 2007 draft out of Cypress College. Following his first full season in 2008, he underwent Tommy John surgery.

During his rehabilitation in 2009, the Mets released him, and he signed a contract to play in Japan with the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks in 2010, playing both at the minor and major league levels in Japan. He eventually returned home to play for the NAL Chico Outlaws, being acquired by the Boston Red Sox organization in May 2011.

Olmsted posted a combined 2–0 record for the GCL Red Sox and Class A Greenville Drive in 2011, including a 1.39 earned run average and six saves in 21 games, giving up seven runs (five earned) on 18 hits and 10 walks, while striking out 48 in 32⅓ innings of work.

He opened 2012 with Class A+ Salem Red Sox, going 0–2 with a 2.29 ERA and 61 strikeouts in 39⅓ innings, while leading the Carolina League with 16 saves and heading to the California-Carolina League All-Star Game. He then was promoted to Class AA Portland Sea Dogs and continued his dominance. In 14 games, he went 1–2 with three saves and 31 strikeouts in 20 innings, allowing five unearned runs for a perfect 0.00 ERA.

After the season, Olmsted became a Minor League free agent and signed with the Milwaukee Brewers, who subsequently placed him on their 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 draft. He spent 2013 in the Brewers minor league system before rejoining the Sea Dogs in 2014. He was released on July 17, 2014.