Scouting grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 50 | Run: 60 | Arm: 60 | Field: 55 | Overall: 45
Signed as an international free agent out of Venezuela in 2014, Olivares produced mixed results early in his career, but still made steady progress through Toronto's system. The Padres' took note of a solid 2017 campaign, in which Olivares finally tapped into his power and launched 17 home runs between Class A and Class A Advanced. They acquired him in a trade for Yangervis Solarte the following January.
Olivares' upward trend continued, as he notched a solid season with Class A Advanced Lake Elsinore before an outstanding showing in the Venezuelan Winter League. He batted .340/.404/.479 for Aragua, and when the Padres needed to protect Olivares from the Rule 5 Draft in November, they did so without hesitation, placing him on the 40-man roster.
Wiry and athletic, Olivares stands out as much for his remaining physical projection as he does for his present athleticism and tools. He combines bat speed with a short right-handed swing to produce lots of hard contact, generating good extension through the ball and driving it to all fields. Scouts believe there'll be more power to come as he continues to add strength to his lean frame. But he could use a bit more plate discipline. Olivares boasts well above-average speed on the basepaths as well as in the outfield, where he possesses the necessary range for all three positions and a strong enough arm to play right. Transactions Team Date Transaction 07/02/2014 Toronto Blue Jays signed free agent OF Edward Olivares to a minor league contract. 07/07/2014 RF Edward Olivares assigned to DSL Blue Jays. 06/22/2015 OF Edward Olivares assigned to GCL Blue Jays. 06/23/2016 OF Edward Olivares assigned to Bluefield Blue Jays from GCL Blue Jays. 07/19/2016 Bluefield Blue Jays placed CF Edward Olivares on the 7-day disabled list. 09/09/2016 Bluefield Blue Jays activated CF Edward Olivares from the 7-day disabled list. 11/04/2016 OF Edward Olivares assigned to Tigres de Aragua. 02/26/2017 OF Edward Olivares assigned to Toronto Blue Jays. 04/03/2017 CF Edward Olivares assigned to Lansing Lugnuts from Bluefield Blue Jays. 08/13/2017 CF Edward Olivares assigned to Dunedin Blue Jays from Lansing Lugnuts. 01/06/2018 CF Edward Olivares assigned to Lake Elsinore Storm. 01/06/2018 San Diego Padres traded 3B Yangervis Solarte to Toronto Blue Jays for CF Edward Olivares and RHP Jared Carkuff. 10/11/2018 OF Edward Olivares assigned to Tigres de Aragua. 11/20/2018 San Diego Padres selected the contract of Edward Olivares from Lake Elsinore Storm. 09/30/2019 San Diego Padres recalled CF Edward Olivares from Amarillo Sod Poodles.
