Edward Olivares was an under-the-radar prospect playing in the shadow of Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette for low Single-A Lansing in 2017. The Padres liked the Blue Jays’ young outfielder enough to ask for him in return for Yangervis Solarte the following winter and Olivares put up solid numbers across the board in his organizational debut in 2018.
His real leap as a player, however, arrived after his first real winter in his native Venezuela’s offseason league.
He suited up alongside big leaguers. He stood in against quality arms. His eyes and ears were wide open.