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Yankees Sign Former Perfect Game Pitcher Amid Roster Changes

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jake Elman | Last updated May 9, 2025 8:48 AM ET

The New York Yankees added a former Perfect Game pitcher to their ranks on Thursday afternoon.

No, it’s not the “27 up, 27 down” kind of perfect game. Instead, the Yankees signed Jon Olsen—a former Perfect Game top-50 prospect and UCLA standout—to a minor-league contract.

Olsen, who last pitched affiliated baseball for the Minnesota Twins’ minor-league teams in 2022, reports to Double-A Somerset. He posted a 3.18 ERA and 19-6 K-BB ratio for the Mexican League’s Piratas de Campeche this year.

“Fast arm, gets on top of the baseball well, good downhill plane, creates heavy sinking action on fastball in mid-upper 80s, generates consistent ground balls,” Perfect Game wrote about Olsen during his high school days. “Repeats delivery well, 12-6 curveball with sharp late break, potential plus offering as it gets firmer.”

It is unclear where Olsen fits into the Yankees’ plans beyond simply providing additional minor-league depth. The Yankees could promote Triple-A pitcher Allan Winans to join the big-league rotation soon, especially after designating former Cleveland Guardians veteran Carlos Carrasco for assignment earlier this week.

The Twins drafted Olsen, a 6-foot-2, 190-pound right-hander, in the 2018 MLB Draft’s 12th round. Olsen tallied a 3.94 ERA over 38 minor-league games (16 starts) and topped out at High-A.

Olsen previously earned All-Pac 12 honors at UCLA and pitched for the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team in 2017. However, Olsen underwent facial reconstruction surgery, Tommy John surgery, a thoracic outlet syndrome procedure, and UCL reconstruction surgery between 2018-22.

After not pitching in 2023, Olsen went 12-3 with a 3.60 ERA over 127.2 innings and 25 games (19 starts) for the Atlantic League’s York Revolution last year.

Given his high school and collegiate success, Olsen likely figured he’d be pitching in the majors by now. However, Olsen at least has another opportunity to prove why he deserves that chance, either this season or down the road.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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