Lester Oliveros

Lester Jesus Oliveros Blanco

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 5' 11", Weight 178 lb.

• Debut July 1, 2011
• Final Game September 28, 2014
• Born May 28, 1988 in Maracay, Aragua, Venezuela

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Biographical Information

Lester Oliveros is a relief pitcher who made his big league debut with the Detroit Tigers in 2011.

Oliveros was signed by scout Ramon Pena in 2005 and began his professional career in 2006, playing for the VSL Marlins/Tigers. That season, he went 1-3 with four saves and a 2.72 ERA in 20 games (two starts), striking out 46 batters in 39 1/3 innings. He held opponents to a .188 average. In 2007, he pitched for the VSL Tigers, going 2-0 with 19 saves, a 1.41 ERA in 27 relief appearances, striking out 59 batters in 38 1/3 innings. He led the Venezuelan Summer League in saves. That winter, he threw four shutout innings for the Caribes de Anzoátegui.

He moved to the United States in 2008, splitting the season between the Oneonta Tigers (15 games) and Lakeland Flying Tigers (five games), going a combined 2-3 with four saves and a 2.59 ERA. He struck out 37 batters in 31 1/3 innings of work. In 2009, he pitched for the Flying Tigers (34 games) and Toledo Mud Hens (one game), posting a 4-2 record with two saves and a 4.02 ERA. Despite his inflated ERA, he managed once again to average more than one strikeout per inning, with 61 strikeouts in 56 innings pitched. He was 0-1 with a 5.75 ERA for Anzoátegui that winter. He split 2010 between the Flying Tigers and Erie SeaWolves, going a combined 1-3 with 23 saves and a 3.65 ERA in 44 games, striking out 60 batters in 44 1/3 innings.

Lester made his major league debut with the Tigers in July of 2011, then in August was traded to the Minnesota Twins as the player to be named later in the deal that sent OF Delmon Young from the Twins to the Tigers.

He was still pitching professionally as recently as 2022.

His brother, pitcher Rayner Oliveros, began his professional career in 2005.

Related Sites

• Lester Oliveros on mlb.com