Before the 2012 season, MLB.com ranked him as the 43rd best prospect in baseball.[13] Olt began the season with the Frisco RoughRiders of the Double–ATexas League, and was named to appear in the 2012 All-Star Futures Game.[14] After he batted .287 with 27 home runs and 81 runs batted in (RBI) for Frisco, the Rangers promoted Olt to the major leagues on August 2.[15] In his debut, Olt recorded a hit in his first at-bat, and went 1-for-3.[16] On August 11, he hit a pinch hit walk-off single to beat the Tigers, 2-1.[17]
The Rangers optioned Olt to the Round Rock Express of the Triple–APacific Coast League (PCL) during spring training in 2013.[18] He struggled to begin the season, batting .139 through April 25. He reported problems with depth perception,[19] which specialists indicated could be the result of a concussion.[20] When it was discovered that a lacrimal gland wasn't producing tears, he was given eye drops, which corrected the vision problem.[21] He returned to Round Rock on June 3.[19]
At the start of spring training in 2014, Olt reported that his vision problems had been resolved.[24] Olt competed for the starting third base job with the Cubs.[25] He made the Cubs' Opening Day roster, though Cubs' managerRick Renteria suggested that Olt would split playing time at third base with Luis Valbuena.[26] Olt hit his first major league home run on April 3,[27] and his first grand slam on May 8.[28] Olt was demoted back to Iowa on July 23, 2014 after posting a .139 batting average for the 2014 season.[29] Twelve of his 31 hits were home runs by the time he was demoted, setting an all-time MLB season record for most home runs hit by a batter with an average below .170.[30]
With Valbuena traded in the offseason,[31] the Cubs opened the 2015 season with Olt as their starting third baseman, and top prospect Kris Bryant starting the year in Iowa.[32] On April 17, Olt was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a hairline fracture in his right wrist,[33] and Bryant was called up to replace him.[34][35] He was moved to the 60-day disabled list four days later.[36] Olt returned to play with Iowa[37][38] and was designated for assignment on August 31.[39]
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox claimed Olt off of waivers on September 5, 2015,[40] and inserted him into their lineup at third base the next day.[41] Olt batted .203 in 24 games for the White Sox.[42] On September 16, Olt hit a home run, becoming the only player in MLB history to hit a home run for both Chicago MLB teams in the same season.
[43]
During the 2015-16 offseason, the White Sox acquired Todd Frazier as their third baseman. They designated Olt for assignment during spring training,[44] after he had batted 1-for-10 in spring training games. The White Sox released Olt on March 15.[45]
San Diego Padres
On March 17, 2016, Olt signed a minor league contract with the San Diego Padres organization.[46] He played primarily for the Double–A San Antonio Missions, as well as three games for the Triple–A El Paso Chihuahuas. In 49 games for San Antonio, Olt batted .255/.373/.404 with five home runs and 25 RBI. He elected free agency following the season on November 7.[47]
Boston Red Sox
Olt signed a minor league contract with the Boston Red Sox on February 7, 2017.[48] He played in 113 games for the Double–A Portland Sea Dogs, hitting .245/.332/.436 with 16 home runs and 57 RBI. He elected free agency following the season on November 6.[49]
Olt signed a new minor league contract with Boston on December 27, 2017.[50] He played in 74 games between Portland and the Triple–A Pawtucket Red Sox, accumulating a .214/.346/.412 with 11 home runs and 28 RBI. Olt elected free agency following the season on November 3, 2018.[51]
On July 6, Olt signed with the Algodoneros de Unión Laguna of the Mexican League. He was released on July 15. Olt announced his retirement on October 25, 2019.[52] In 8 games he struggled going 5-29 (.172) with 0 home runs and 0 RBIs.
Personal life
Olt's brother, Brad, was a teammate of Mike's with the Huskies.[3] Brad also played baseball professionally for the Bad Homburg Hornets in the German Bundesliga.[53]
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