Edward Olivares

Position: CF
Level: Double-A
Affiliate: Amarillo Sod Poodles
League: Texas League
Born: 03/06/1996 (Age: 28)
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 186
B/T: Right / Right
Acquired: Signed as international free agent, 7/7/2014 (TOR); Traded to SDP 1/6/2018

Prospect Spotlight

The Venezuelan outfielder signed with Toronto for a minuscule bonus in 2015. One of two prospects returned in a small trade before the 2018 season–moving to San Diego in exchange for big league veteran Yangervis Solarte–Olivares is looking like a potential steal relative to what the Padres gave up to acquire him. The 23-year-old was named a mid-season all-star for the second consecutive season, this time in the Double-A Texas League.

Olivares is a plus athlete with above-average feel for the barrel, showing plus speed and a bit of power. It’s a soft five tool skill set that shows up in numerous facets of the game. He has split time the last two seasons between CF and RF given the presence of Buddy Reed in Lake Elsinore and Amarillo, but has a chance to play a center-diamond outfield spot adequately. Olivares’ best chance at finishing a big league regular will be in CF, as his lack of blow-the-doors-off power makes him a more iffy fit to stick as a regular on a corner. Though 23 is far from senior–especially in Double-A or Triple-A–he’s a little older than most of the Padres’ surplus of prospects and might have less skill projection left as a result. Olivares’ well-rounded style of play raises the floor and makes him a likely fourth/extra outfielder even if he falls short of his upside as an everyday player.