Edward Olivares is a right-handed outfielder from Caracas, Venezuela who has carved out a role in the big leagues since his MLB debut on July 25, 2020. At 30, he splits his time between the majors — where he’s suited up for the Kansas City Royals and Pittsburgh Pirates — and the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League (LVBP), where he consistently reminds everyone what he’s capable of.
Quick Facts
- Full name: Edward Olivares
- Position: Outfielder (Right Field)
- Bats / Throws: Right / Right
- Born: March 6, 1996 — Caracas, Venezuela 🇻🇪
- Height / Weight: 6’1″ / 190 lbs
- MLB Debut: July 25, 2020
- Winter team: Bravos de Margarita (LVBP, 2026-27)
- Jersey number: 29
Background
Growing up in Caracas — one of Venezuela’s deepest baseball hotbeds — Olivares developed the defensive instincts and arm strength that made him an attractive outfield option at the MLB level. He profiles as a right-field defender with enough bat to contribute off the bench or in a platoon role.
MLB Career
Olivares has had the kind of up-and-down big-league journey that comes with being a role player. His best MLB season came in 2023 with Kansas City: a .263 average, 12 home runs, 36 RBI, 11 stolen bases, and a .769 OPS — a well-rounded line that showed his offensive versatility. The year before, in 2022, he hit .286 with 4 home runs and 15 RBI for the Royals.
Things got tougher in 2024 with Pittsburgh. Olivares slashed .224/.624 OPS with just 5 home runs and 23 RBI — a difficult season that left him looking for a reset heading into the offseason.
MLB Stats at a Glance
- 2024 – Pittsburgh Pirates: .224 AVG | 5 HR | 23 RBI | 22 R | .624 OPS | 1 SB
- 2023 – Kansas City Royals: .263 AVG | 12 HR | 36 RBI | 47 R | .769 OPS | 11 SB
- 2022 – Kansas City Royals: .286 AVG | 4 HR | 15 RBI | 24 R | .743 OPS | 2 SB
Winter Ball: Where Olivares Thrives
The LVBP has been Olivares’s reset button — and the results speak for themselves. After his rough 2024 MLB campaign, he went home to Margarita and absolutely raked: .390 AVG, 4 home runs, 18 RBI, and a 1.128 OPS in just 21 games during the 2024-25 season. That’s not a slump-buster — that’s a statement.
He hasn’t slowed down in the 2026-27 LVBP season either, hitting .367 with a 1.184 OPS through 11 games, adding 2 more home runs. When Olivares is locked in, he’s one of the more dangerous bats in Caribbean winter ball.
LVBP Stats – Bravos de Margarita
- 2026-27: 11 G | .367 AVG | 2 HR | 12 RBI | 1.184 OPS
- 2025-26: 17 G | .169 AVG | 3 HR | 9 RBI | .603 OPS
- 2024-25: 21 G | .390 AVG | 4 HR | 18 RBI | 1.128 OPS
- 2023-24: 23 G | .341 AVG | 1 HR | 13 RBI | .901 OPS
The Bigger Picture
Olivares is a textbook example of why winter leagues matter. For Caribbean players navigating the grind of a big-league roster bubble, the LVBP isn’t just a tradition — it’s a lifeline. His back-to-back dominant winters in Margarita keep him sharp, confident, and on the radar for another MLB opportunity.
