71. Manuel Olivares – RP – low-A/A - 24/yrs.
Olivares was signed by the Mets on 11-4-03 by their Venezuelan scout, Gregorio Machado.
He played for Tronconero of the VSL league in both 2004 (3-2, 3.91) and 2005 (3-5, 5.36). Mets scout Gregorio Machado signed him for the Mets and he then played 2006 for the VSL Mets, where he had an outstanding year (6-3, 2.14 in 12 starts). Olivaras was also tied for the VSL league lead in shutouts, 2nd in complete games, and 4th in ERA.
2007 brought a trip to the USA and a season with Kingsport, where he went 3-3, 4.56, 1.38 in 13 games (6 starts).
Manuel started the 2008 season with Brooklyn, but played most of the year for Savannah. His combined stats were: 3-3, 3.35 in 21 games, 3 starts.
In 2009, Olivares pitched most of the season for Savannah, and pitch well he did: 2-4, 3.77, in 35 relief appearances. He was sent to Brooklyn late in the season to help them in their playoff run, where he went: 0-0, 3.52, in five appearances. Combined, the stats read: 2-4, 3.75.
Forecast: Nothing tremendously exciting here, but still, the last three years stateside has yielded stats of: 8-10, 3.87, 1.38, in 74 appearances, for three different teams. I expect him to be in St. Lucie in the spring, but he could make the jump straight to Binghamton. Keep an eye on this guy. He’s a control reliever who just may fit in some day.
Forecast: Nothing tremendously exciting here, but still, the last three years stateside has yielded stats of: 8-10, 3.87, 1.38, in 74 appearances, for three different teams. I expect him to be in St. Lucie in the spring, but he could make the jump straight to Binghamton. Keep an eye on this guy. He’s a control reliever who just may fit in some day.
Often times I noticed in the Mets minor league system that if a player had one particular talent/tool or a pitcher had mastery of a certain pitch, that alone would afford them opportunities to advance. Manny Oliveras is a classic example. His changeup has true Carl Hubbel screw action and dives down and in on righthanders. His fastball is below average and curve is mediocre at best, but as long as he can keep throwing that "bugs bunny" change up, he should keep his job for a while.
ReplyDeleteHe's also a great kid, genuinely nice to be around.