D-backs Coach Dylan Olsonawski Embraces ‘Servant Leadership’ in Arizona Fall League
D-backs coach Dylan Olsonawski details his Arizona Fall League experience, working with pitchers across five organizations and refining his coaching approach.
SCOTTSDALE — Dylan Olsonawski got the opportunity of a lifetime, coaching the pitchers on the Salt River Rafters. Olsonawski is a former player development associate turned coach, working with the Diamondbacks’ Complex League affiliate the past two seasons.
In the Fall League, not only did he work with the pitchers from his own organization, but also the Angels, Red Sox, Pirates, and Rockies.
“It was a great experience, got to work with a lot of great guys. I think one of the best parts is you spend four weeks, six weeks here, you get kind of close with these guys. You build those trusts with guys, build relationships. It’s been something that, going to look back on it down the road, great experience.”
Beyond just the work he did on the field, Olsonawski has been working with the Salt River pitchers behind the scenes. Hours before a single pitch is thrown at Salt River Fields, he is instructing pitchers on various grips and cues. Just this week, he was working with the Rockies’ Jack Mahoney, Austin Smith, and Welington Herrera.
“At the end of the day, it’s get the guys to be athletes. The second you get them to stop thinking, all of a sudden the athlete in them takes over. These are some of the best athletes in the world getting to pitch here, so let the athleticism take over.”
For pitchers, most of the adjustments are very small and take place over time. It often starts in flat ground catch play. It could be something like a slight change in grip or body position that could make a big difference on a pitch. Ultimately, Olsonawski wants his pitchers to throw with confidence and conviction.
Perhaps nothing is more satisfying for a coach than watching their players perform on the field. One such example came this week. After working with Mahoney on throwing his slider, he turned in a strong performance in the Rafters’ Quarterfinals exit.
“At the end of the day, that’s what this coaching is about: Servant leadership. You want to see these guys have success. We live through them, and when they have success, obviously it’s good for us, but you want to see these guys dominate.
“Even these guys, most of them aren’t in my org and stuff, but you still, again, you develop those relationships and you want to see them have success, succeed in their careers, all become big leaguers.”
The experience of a lifetime should help Olsonawski grow in his career as a coach.
“I think different coordinators, directors, even players, I don’t think we give them enough credit for how much we learn from the players. There’s definitely going to be a lot of stuff we’re going to take with me next year.”
The D-backs have struggled to draft and develop pitching under general manager Mike Hazen. Their most notable success stories in the past five seasons include Ryne Nelson and Brandon Pfaadt. However, they’ve lagged behind other organizations in developing quality arms. They’ll look to combat that, so they can develop the pitching they need to build a sustainable winner.
One of those steps is building a strong foundation in a pitcher’s career after acquiring him through the draft or the international free agent market. The added Arizona Fall League experience should give Olsonawski additional perspectives that will help him help the D-backs’ player development.