That Olt' To Be Good

By Corey R. Cunningham

Michael Olt has been called up by the Texas Rangers, and to my surprise and perhaps others as well. The Rangers have a pretty good offensive lineup, however, looks as if this young AA prospect got the call to the big leagues. It caught me off guard, as I thought we would not have seen him at least until September if not until 2013.

Olt primary position is 3B, however, he has got some looks this year in Frisco at 1B and the OF, more so 1B. Olt has played 95 games at AA this year, hitting .288 with 65 R, 12 doubles, 1 triple, 28 HR, and 82 RBI. Those are very impressive numbers to have at that level, and one would think he will start in AAA next year. If he does have a productive month of August in the big leagues with Texas, perhaps Nolan Ryan and company will make a full time 1B out of him.

Mike Olt has played 3 games so far with Texas, and has a .286 BA, 3 RBI, 1 R, 2 BB, and 1 K. With the power lineup like Texas, Olt batted 8th and 9th in the lineup playing 2 games at 1B, and a game at 3B. I see no point in keeping Olt in the bigs, if they plan on using him as a spot player, to me it makes them worse, and lose the AB's which are very important in a young career. Olt is going to be the power bat I believe to replace Josh Hamilton, as I do not think the Nolan Ryan Company will resign the Left handed slugger. Texas has too many up and coming prospects to worry with Hamilton, and they will need to resign other players as well.

I see Texas going after Zack Greinke this off season, and promoting Jurikison Profar and moving Ian Kinsler to CF, and having Mike Olt occupy 1B. Sooner or later, Elvis Andrus will need resigned and if the Rangers are willing they will have the money to do so. Look for Texas to be a power house for years to come and possible a decade if not more.