Elliott: Clubhouse confidential -- John Olerud scouting report from summer of 1989
Blue Jays’ third round pick in 1989, John Olerud will be inducted into the Canadian Hall of Fame in St. Marys on Saturday
June 16, 2023
By Bob Elliott
Canadian Baseball Network
When Blue Jays general manager Pat Gillick drafted 1B John Olerud in the third round in 1989, he was thorough.
As in making nine trips to either Pullman, Wash. watching Olerud play for the Washington State Cougars, or to Olerud’s home in Bellevue, Wash. on the outskirts of Seattle.
Gillick also dispatched scout Don Welke, who had signed Cy Young Award winner Pat Hentgen to follow Olerud with his Alaskan Summer college league team, the Palouse Cougars, as they travelled to both Hawaii and Alaska.
Olerud was Baseball America’s player of the year as a sophmore in 1988 hitting .444 with 21 doubles, three triples, 23 homers and 81 RBIs. He finished with a 1.434 OPS in 66 games. And on the mound ... he went 15-0.
Coming off a brain aneryusim, his family -- mom, Lynda, and father, Dr. John Olerud -- told teams to not to draft their son. He was going back to university.Olerud played very little college ball in the spring of 1989.
What inside info did Gillick have making the draft choice?
“We’ve learned that sometimes people change their mind,” Gillick said at the time, recalling how the Jays wanted to draft Bo Jackson, but backed off when he said his No. 1 choice was football over baseball. After being drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and having a dispute with the owner, Jackson chose baseball when the Kansas City Royals selected him in the fourth round out of Auburn University.
Olerud signed on Sept. 1, a Saturday and made his debut the next day, pinch hitting for future Hall of Famer Fred McGriff and singling off German Gonzalez in a 9-4 loss to the Minnesota Twins.
Olerud played his first eight seasons for the Blue Jays, winning the batting title in 1993 with a .363 average. On Aug. 25 Olerud and the Jays headed to Seattle after the first baseman went 4-for-4 at the SkyDome lifting his average to .392.
Next, he spent five years with the Seattle Mariners, three seasons with the New York Mets and one each with the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox.
In his 17 seasons, Olerud had a career average of .295 with 2,239 career hits, with 500 doubles, 255 homers and 1,230 RBIs. He played 2,234 games and had an .863 OPS.
Olerud was the first and only batting champion in Blue Jays history, a man who never played a game in the minors until a rehab assignment at triple-A Pawtucket when he was a member of the 2005 Boston Red Sox in 2005, his 17th and final season.
What follows is Welke’s extremely detailed report … with the key stat being Olerud swung and missed once during the 10-game trip.
* * *
JOHN OLERUD
HEALTH AND DURABILITY
All doctor reports and medical reports appear to indicate complete recovery. Every aspect of any medical document that I have seen is positive with the possible exception of some type personality change taking place within the first four months after the operation. You can discount that one.
John, along with LHP Jim Abbott, have the best personalities I have ever seen. He is a joy to be around and will be a great example for youngsters all over the world.
His health appears to be excellent. Naturally, after the tedious travel and playing schedule his team has endured, anyone would be somewhat tired. He has done more than any other player in terms of pitching, hitting, and the normal workouts and is as fresh as any of them. The players also spent much time enjoying themselves on Wakiki beach and snorkeling etc., which is bound to take something out of their freshness for the game.
However, after all of this plus the aforementioned travel schedule to Fairbanks, Alaska, John turned in an amazing performance in beating Fairbanks 3-2 and contributing to his cause with the bat against a very good lefty. He hit as well or better in Alaska than Hawaii which speaks very well of his durability.
John is back and 100% healthy in my opinion. He feels that his strength is good and he feels good but feels he just misses balls and dips his shoulder a bit and just is not perfect mechanically yet as compared to how he hit in his sophomore year of college.
This is most likely due to the layoff from the game this spring and is nothing to be concerned about. As a matter of fact, he appears to be getting better every day and is more than adequately prepared to hit right now at a very high level of pro ball.
* * *
MAKEUP
Outstanding!
John Olerud is a first class kid in every respect. In addition to be an outstanding ballplayer he is a leader on a team by example and a credit to himself and the game. He will be the type player that fellow team members will look up to and he will be an inspirational leader by example.
He is not beyond listening and appears to welcome constructive criticism if it will help him be a better player.
AFTER HAVING SPENT 10 DAYS WITH JOHN OLERUD AND THE PALOUSE COUGARS, I HAVE COME TO THE FOLLOWING CONCLUSIONS:
JOHN CAN HIT PERIOD.
JOHN’S HEALTH, STRENGTH AND DURABILITY ARE EXCELLENT.
JOHN HAS AS MUCH TO OFFER US AS WE HAVE TO OFFER HIM.
JOHN ONLY NEEDS PRO EXPERIENCE TO BE A GREAT MAJOR LEAGUE PLAYER.
* * *
Game Number One
AB#1
1-grounded out to second base on 0-0 count
AB#2
1-fouled off first pitch
2-singled to left field on 0-1 count
AB#3
1-slider in ball one
2-fastball up ball two
3-popped up to shortstop on 2-0 pitch
AB#4
1-fastball away
2-fastball high fly to right field on 1-0 count
AB#5
1-ball up
2-ball in
3-fouled off
4-hard ground shot to second base-out 4-3 on 2-1 pitch
1-for-5
* * *
Game Number Two
AB#1
1-called strike
2-fouled back
3-ball up
4-ball in
5-fouled off
6-curve ball called strike-struck out on 2-2 pitch
AB#2-
1-curve ball called strike
2-line drive shot 2b off left field wall-well hit and went with pitch well-0-1 count
AB#3
1-ball outside
2-strike called
3-fouled down lf line
4-fouled down lf line
5-ball low
6-long 400 foot plus homer to right centre field on 2-2 pitch
AB#4
1-ball low
2-line drive shot to left centre field to fence for double on 1-0 pitch
AB#5
1-called strike
2-ball low
3-ball in
4-ball outside
5-called strike
6-ball outside walked on 3-2 pitch
3-for-4 in game
4-for-9 on trip.
John also pitched in game two in Hawaii and allowed one run in seven innings. He was impressive and maintained his velocity into the seventh. He knows how to pitch and mixes his pitches well. It is almost as if he is thinking as a hitter and pitching accordingly.
* * *
Game Number Three
AB#1
1-ball
2-called strike
3-singled up the middle on a 1-1 pitch
AB#2
1-ball
2-ball
3-ball
4-fastball called strike
5-line drive hit hard to right field on 3-1 pitch
AB#3
1-ball low
2-ball low
3-fouled back
4-ball high
5-ball low walked on 3-1 pitch
AB#
1-ball high
2-strike called
3-ball low
4-grounded to first base unassisted on 2-1 pitch
AB#5
1-ball low
2-popped to shortstop on a 1-0 pitch
1-for-4
5-for-13 on trip.
* * *
Game Number Four
AB#1
1-called strike curve outside
2-ball in
3-ball away
4-ball in
5-ball up walked on 3-1 count
AB#2
1-strike called
2-line shot to center on 0-1 pitch
AB#3
1-curve strike called down and away
2-ball up
3-ball down and away
4-sacrifice fly to centre-hit ball good on 2-1 pitch
1-for-3
6-for-16 on trip
* * *
Game Number Five
AB#1
1-ball outside
2-curve outside called strike
3-ball down
4-ball outside
5-foul ball
6-line shot triple down right field line on 3-2 pitch
AB#2
1-ball in
2-called strike breaking ball
3-ball out
4-ball down and in
5-fouled off
6-called strike on 3-2 pitch
* * *
GAME NUMBER FIVE
AB#1
1-strike called
2-ball low
3-ball high
4-ball low
5-ball outside walked on 3-1 pitch
AB#2
1-ball low
2-single to right field on 1-0 pitch
AB#3
1-ball up
2-ground out third to first on 1-0 pitch
AB#4
1-ball low
2-swing and a foul
3-strike called
4-single up the middle on 1-2 pitch
AB#5
1-strike called
2-curve ball low and in
3-ball low
4-strike called
5-hard hit shot grounder to first unassisted on 2-2 count
2-for-4
8-for-20
* * *
GAME NUMBER SIX
AB#1
1-ball outside
2-strike in
3-ball outside
4-ball down
5-ball in walked on 3-1 pitch
AB#2
1-ball inside
2-long single line drive to left center field on 1-0 pitch-hit well
AB#3
1-called strike
2-ball in
3-ball outside
4-called strike
5-called strike 2-2 pitch
AB#3
1-strike called
2-grounder to second on 0-1 pitch
AB#4
1-ball in
2-grounder to second on 1-0 pitch
2-for-4
10-for-24 on trip
* * *
GAME NUMBER SEVEN
AB#1
1-fastball outside
2-called strike
3-ball low
4-ball outside
5-fastball outside called strike
6-fouled back
7-line drive shot double to left centre on 3-2 pitch
AB#2
1-called strike fastball down
2-swing and a miss-the only time this happened in 10 games saw
3-ball low
4-hit hard ground shot to ss-handcuffed him but went out 6-3 on 1-2 pitch
AB#3
1-strike called
2-strike called
3-ball outside
4-fouled back
5-ball outside
6-ball up
7-ball up walked on 3-2 pitch
AB#4
1-ball outside
2-called strike
3-called strike
4-ball inside
5-swing and foul
6-swing and foul
7-line drive shot double down right field line on 2-2 pitch
AB#5
intentionally passed
2-for-4
11-for-28
John also pitched the above game and did a masterful job. After flying all night the team took a six-hour bus ride to Fairbanks and arrived just before 7 p.m. They got off the bus and played shortly thereafter. Fairbanks threw a very tough lefty named Dennis Gray. John had four quality at bats against him and hit him hard. He was intentionally walked the last time up. On the mound John was in control from the opening pitch. He struck out eight and walked one and allowed eight hits two of which were home runs by Mike Kelly.
He kept the hitters off balance all night en route to a 3-2 victory. He showed excellent durability and concentrative powers at bat and on the mound and in his quiet self assured way was very competitive and dominating.
He keeps hitters off balance well and seems to enjoy the challenge of pitching. He throws very freely and easily.
* * *
GAME NUMBER EIGHT
AB#1
1-strike called low
2-ball low
3-ball outside
4-strike called
5-ball up
6-ball low and outside walked on 3-2 pitch
AB#2
1-strike called
2-ball outside
3-strike called low
4-fouled back
5-ball low
6-ball low
7-ball outside walked on 3-2 pitch
AB#3
1-strike called
2-grounded out 4-3 on 0-1 pitch
AB#4
1-ball low
2-swing and a foul
3-grounded to first-error on 1B-hit the 1-1 pitch
0-for-2
11-for-30
* * *
GAME NUMBER NINE
AB#1
1-called strike
2-ball
3-ball
4-ball
5-ball walked on 3-1 pitch
AB#2
1-curve down and away called strike
2-singled to right on 0-1 count
AB#3
1-ball low
2-ball low
3-just missed fastball and drove it to centre field caught on 2-0 pitch
AB#4
1-called strike
2-fouled back
3-ball high
4-ball up and in
5-popped to third on 2-2 pitch
AB#5
1-called strike
2-flew out to left on a 0-1 pitch
1-for-4
12-for-33
* * *
GAME NUMBER 10
AB#1
1-called strike
2-called strike
3-ball low
4-ball up
5-fouled off
6-singled to right on 2-2 pitch
AB#2
1-ball low
2-ball up
3-strike called
4-fouled off
5-singled to right on 2-2 pitch
AB#3
1-ball in
2-ball up
3-called strike
4-hit line drive rocket to centre field caught-ball very well hit
AB#4
1-ball in
2-ball away
3-strike called
4-popped a double down left field line on a 2-1 pitch
3-for-4
15-for-38 on trip (.395) 10 games
5-for-7 (.714) with four doubles and a home run in games in which he pitches
5-for-7 (.714) against best two pitchers faced -- Dennis Gray (second-round er by the Toronto Blue Jays in 1991) and Andy Croghan (16th rounder, selected by the New York Yankees in 1991) games. Both were selected from Cal-State Long Beach.
9-for-24 (.375) against Hawaii
6-for-13 (.462) against Fairbanks on second leg of the tour
* * *
FIRST BASE-DH-LEFTHANDED PITCHER
ABILITY
HITTING
This player has outstanding bat control. He has an excellent eye at the plate and will work a pitcher until he gets his pitch to hit. He hits to all fields and with power to all fields. He has a short quick stroke and virtually always makes contact.
He will hit better against good pitchers because they will supply more power, they offer him more of a challenge, and they will be around the plate more often. He has excellent work habits and extreme powers of concentration. He appears to approach hitting as a science and it shows. He is confident and self assured of his ability. He makes hitting look as if it is easy in comparison to most players.
He will hit with more power in pro ball than at present in my opinion. He usually hits the ball in the sweet spot of the aluminum bat which will translate to driving the ball hard with the wood bat.
He hits the ball where it is pitched and has good line drive power. When professional pitchers supply a little more mustard he will hit the ball farther. He surely has enough line drive power to drive the ball out of the ballpark and when he gets his pitch and lofts the ball he also has fly ball power.
The best thing is that he does not swing to hit the long ball and sprays the ball all over the field. The long ball will come naturally.
His approach in batting practice is firstly to spray the ball around and hit grounders and liners to all fields. He then will begin to loft the ball and hit it for distance.
He appears to know what he is doing at all times with the bat in his hands.
He will hit at the major league level. He has a chance to be an absolutely outstanding major league hitter.
* * *
FIELDING
He has good size at first base. He has very good soft hands and extremely quick reaction time. He made a great reaction on a shot (one hopper) to him while playing first in Hawaii. He also made two great reaction plays while pitching on ground shots to him and in addition caught a line shot cannon hit right back at him while on the mound in Fairbanks. Probably 95% of guys do not get that ball.
He has very soft hands and seldom drops a ball. He has sure hands and is a very good overall fielder. He throws well, throws very easily, and is very much on top of the game mentally afield.
He will field well at the major league level. He’s an above average major league fielding first baseman.
* * *
PITCHING
He is impressive here. His quiet competitive spirit shows and he gets the job done. He has a below average fastball but an above average change that acts like a screwball. His breaking stuff curve and slider is adequate and his knowledge of pitching and know how is exceptional.
It is difficult to say whether or not he can pitch at the major league level. However, I would not discount this possibility and would give him every chance to exhibit his pitching prowess at the professional level. He likes to pitch and would like to give it his best shot.