Jefferson Olacio

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Chicago White Sox #30 prospect in 2013
  He looks like C.C. Sabathia and has similar fastball potential, so the White Sox signed Olacio for $125,000 in 2010. Two years before that, he stood 6-foot-3 and couldn't hit 80 mph with his fastball, so he has come a long way in a hurry. Chicago knows his development will take time and figured correctly that he would struggle in his U.S. debut last season. Olacio can throw 90-92 mph consistently, but he has to dial down his velocity to throw strikes, and hitters sit and wait for a diminished fastball. He has a below-average slider that he tips off by slowing down his arm speed, and he lacks feel for a changeup. He doesn't have a pitch to trust when he falls behind in the count, which happens regularly. Olacio is a true lottery ticket who will have to progress step by step through the system. The White Sox aggressively assigned him to low Class A to begin last season, but he still may not be advanced enough to succeed there at the start of 2013.
• 
  Ranked Chicago White Sox #15 prospect in 2012
  As unproductive as the White Sox have been in the Dominican Republic over the last decade, Olacio could get the organization headed in the right direction. He's built along the lines of C.C. Sabathia and has a power arm, though he's as raw as a pitcher can be. Signed for $125,000 after showcasing himself in the Dominican Prospect League in 2010, Olacio came to the United States for minor league spring training last March. He then returned home to play in the Dominican Summer League, where his lack of control was painfully evident. So too was his potential, however, as he struck out 42 in 38 innings and didn't allow a home run. Olacio already has a fastball that's consistently in the low 90s, and Chicago thinks it will get better as he grows into his body. When he was 14, he stood 6-foot-3 but couldn't hit 80 mph. He's still developing a feel for his curveball and changeup, for now trying to get by on his intimidating size and his fastball. Olacio has a max-effort delivery that gives him deception. He'll be tested in the United States in 2012, most likely at Rookielevel Bristol after he spends the first half of the season in extended spring training. Olacio has a high ceiling, but he'll need to refine his secondary pitches and learn to control the inner half of the plate to reach it.