Andrew Velazquez

Not to be confused with Andrew Velasquez.
Andrew Velazquez
Velazquez with the Baltimore Orioles in 2020
New York Yankees
Infielder
Born: (1994-07-14) July 14, 1994 (age 30)
The Bronx, New York, U.S.
Bats: Switch
Throws: Right
MLB debut
September 2, 2018, for the Tampa Bay Rays
MLB statistics
(through 2023 season)
Batting average.189
Home runs12
Runs batted in40
Stats at Baseball Reference Edit this at Wikidata
Teams

Andrew Velazquez (born July 14, 1994), nicknamed "Squid", is an American professional baseball infielder in the New York Yankees organization. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Tampa Bay Rays, Cleveland Indians, Baltimore Orioles, and Los Angeles Angels.

Early life and career

Velazquez is from Morris Park in the Bronx, a borough of New York City.[1] His father, Kenneth, worked in the New York City Police Department as a detective and undercover narcotics officer for 20 years. His mother, Margaret, was a school teacher.[2]

Velazquez attended Fordham Preparatory School, where he played for the school's baseball team. He played as a center fielder until his senior year, when he became the team's starting shortstop.[3] In his senior year, the New York Post named Velazquez their All-Bronx Baseball Player of the Year.[4] Velazquez also competed on the Prep's track and field team, as a sprinter and high jumper. He received an athletic scholarship to attend Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) to play college baseball for the Virginia Tech Hokies.[5]

Professional career

Arizona Diamondbacks

The Arizona Diamondbacks selected him in the seventh round, with the 243rd overall selection, of the 2012 Major League Baseball draft.[3][6] He signed with the Diamondbacks, receiving a $200,000 signing bonus, bypassing his commitment to Virginia Tech.[5] That year, he made his professional debut with the Rookie-level Arizona League Diamondbacks of the Arizona League and the Missoula Osprey of the Pioneer League.[7][8]

In 2013, Velazquez was assigned to the South Bend Silver Hawks of the Single-A Midwest League. For the season, he had a .260 batting average, but had almost three times as many strikeouts as walks.[9] Returning to South Bend in 2014, Velazquez set a Minor League Baseball record with his 72nd consecutive game reaching base, breaking the record of 71 set by Kevin Millar in 1997 and tied by Kevin Youkilis in 2003.[10][11] His streak, which lasted from April 22 to July 16, ended at 74 consecutive games.[12][13] After the season, Velazquez was named the Midwest League Prospect of the Year.[13] While playing in the Diamondbacks system, he was given the nickname "Squid".[14]

Tampa Bay Rays

Velazquez with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2018

On November 14, 2014, the Diamondbacks traded Velazquez and Justin Williams to the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for Jeremy Hellickson.[15][16] He began the 2015 season with the Charlotte Stone Crabs of the High-A Florida State League, but underwent surgery in May to repair a broken hamate bone.[17] He finished the season hitting .290/.343/.360 in 47 games. He returned to Charlotte in 2016, where he finished an injury shortened season hitting .262/.313/.308 in 75 games. Velazquez played for the Montgomery Biscuits of the Double-A Southern League in 2017 and Montgomery and the Durham Bulls of the Triple-A International League in 2018.[18]

On September 2, 2018, the Rays promoted Velazquez to the major leagues for the first time.[19] He recorded three hits in ten at-bats playing off the bench. Despite only playing 34+2⁄3 innings and making only one start, Velazquez played at least one inning at six positions (second base, shortstop, third base, left field, center field, and right field).[20]

Cleveland Indians

Velazquez with the Cleveland Indians in 2020

On July 3, 2019, the Rays traded Velazquez to the Cleveland Indians in exchange for international bonus pool allotments.[21] In a corresponding move the Indians designated Chih-Wei Hu for assignment.[22] Cleveland assigned Velazquez to the Columbus Clippers of the International League, and promoted him to the major leagues on September 17.[23] He appeared in five games for Cleveland, registering one hit, a double, in 11 at bats.[24]

Velazquez was designated for assignment on February 14, 2020, when they signed Domingo Santana.[24]

Baltimore Orioles

Velazquez was claimed off waivers by the Baltimore Orioles on February 19, 2020.[25] In 2020 for the Orioles, Velazquez slashed .159/.274/.206 with no home runs and three RBI.[26] On October 29, Velazquez was outrighted off of the 40-man roster.[27] He became a free agent on November 2.[28]

New York Yankees

On December 16, 2020, Velazquez signed a minor league contract with the New York Yankees organization.[29] On July 16, 2021, Velazquez was released by the Yankees organization, but re-signed with the team the next day on a new minor league deal.[30] On August 9, the Yankees promoted Velazquez to the major leagues.[31] Playing for the Yankees was a dream come true for Velazquez. He had grown up idolizing Derek Jeter.[32] On August 10, Velazquez scored his first Yankees run on a wild pitch.[citation needed]

In seven at bats in a series against the Boston Red Sox, Velazquez tallied three run-scoring hits with 4 RBI, (one run of his own, and a stolen base). After closing out the final game with a diving catch at shortstop and a difficult throw to first base from deep in the hole, his teammates awarded him the well-deserved "game belt" in recognition of his contributions to the series sweep that saw the team move into first place of the Wild Card standings; two games ahead of the rival Red Sox.[33]

On August 21, Velazquez hit his first career home run during a home game against the Minnesota Twins at Yankee Stadium off pitcher Ralph Garza.[34][35]

On September 11, following the team’s victory over the New York Mets, Velazquez was demoted to the Yankees’s Triple-A affiliate, the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders. He was recalled to the Yankees prior to the penultimate game of the regular season on October 2.[36]

Los Angeles Angels

On November 5, 2021, Velazquez was claimed off waivers by the Los Angeles Angels.[37] He opened the 2022 season with the Salt Lake Bees of the Triple-A Pacific Coast League and was promoted to the major leagues on April 12 to be the starting shortstop after David Fletcher was injured.[2] On September 13, 2022, during a game against the Cleveland Guardians, Velazquez suffered a right meniscus tear, ending his season. In 125 games, Velazquez batted .196/.236/.304 with 10 home runs and 37 RBIs.[38]

On March 1, 2023, Velazquez gave up switch hitting and focused primarily on being a right-handed hitter. He has since gone back to being a switch hitter.[39] Velazquez was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake to begin the 2023 season.[40] In 54 games for the Angels, he hit .173/.264/.284 with 2 home runs, 3 RBI, and 13 stolen bases.

Atlanta Braves

On September 5, 2023, Velazquez was claimed off waivers by the Atlanta Braves.[41] In 14 games for the Triple–A Gwinnett Stripers, he hit .217/.266/.250 with no home runs and four RBI. Following the season on November 1, Velazquez was removed from the 40–man roster and sent outright to Triple–A Gwinnett.[42] However, Velazquez rejected the assignment and elected free agency.[43]

On November 24, 2023, Velazquez re-signed with the Braves on a minor league contract.[44] He played in 118 games for Gwinnett in 2024, slashing .242/.298/.394 with 16 home runs, 48 RBI, and 33 stolen bases. Velazquez elected free agency following the season on November 4, 2024.[45]

New York Yankees (second stint)

On January 3, 2025, Velazquez signed a minor league contract with the New York Yankees.[46]

References

  1. ^ "Bronx product Andrew Velazquez: I'll 'bust my ass' to make Yankees' roster". January 20, 2021.
  2. ^ a b DiGiovanna, Mike (May 30, 2022). "His dad was a cop in the Bronx, but it was baseball that saved Andrew Velazquez". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 13, 2022.
  3. ^ a b Walder, Seth; Abramson, Mitch (June 5, 2012). "Fordham Prep shortstop Andrew Velazquez selected by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the seventh round of the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft: Rams star is 243rd player taken overall, first in NYC". New York Daily News. Retrieved September 5, 2014.
  4. ^ Braziller, Zach (June 22, 2012). "The Post's All-Bronx baseball honors". New York Post. Retrieved September 5, 2014.
  5. ^ a b Walder, Seth (June 12, 2012). "Andrew Velazquez, shortstop at Fordham Prep HS, agrees in principal[sic] to sign with Arizona Diamondbacks and pass on scholarship to Virginia Tech: Velazquez to get $200,000 signing bonus, plus incentives and glove deal". New York Daily News. Retrieved September 5, 2014.
  6. ^ Raimondi, Marc (June 6, 2012). "Fordham Prep star is highest CHSAA baseball draft pick in decade". New York Post. Retrieved September 5, 2014.
  7. ^ Baragona, John (August 22, 2012). "Diamondbacks Minor League Round-Up 8/21: Andrew Velazquez Promoted to Missoula". AZ Snake Pit. SB Nation. Retrieved September 5, 2014.
  8. ^ "Fordham Prep alum flies through minor league baseball". News 12 The Bronx. September 6, 2012. Retrieved September 5, 2014. (subscription required)
  9. ^ Braziller, Zach (July 16, 2014). "Bronx slugger a hit after breaking minor-league on base record". New York Post. Retrieved September 5, 2014.
  10. ^ Axisa, Mike (July 14, 2014). "D-Backs prospect Andrew Velazquez sets minor-league on-base record". CBS Sports. Retrieved September 5, 2014.
  11. ^ Goff, Chris (July 13, 2014). "South Bend star makes history at Parkview Field". The Journal Gazette. Archived from the original on September 6, 2014. Retrieved September 5, 2014.
  12. ^ McManaman, Bob (August 1, 2014). "Diamondbacks prospect Andrew Velazquez turning heads in minors". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved September 5, 2014.
  13. ^ a b Dykstra, Sam (August 25, 2014). "Farmer, Velazquez named MWL All-Stars: Tigers right-hander, D-backs shortstop headline postseason honors". MiLB.com. Retrieved September 5, 2014.
  14. ^ Kuty, Brendan (August 20, 2021). "Yankees' Andrew Velazquez slippery about 'Squid' nickname". NJ.com. Advance Local Media.
  15. ^ Gilbert, Steve (November 14, 2014). "D-backs land Hellickson for two prospects". Archived from the original on November 16, 2014. Retrieved November 15, 2014.
  16. ^ "D-Backs acquire pitcher Hellickson from Rays". ESPN.com. Associated Press. November 14, 2014. Retrieved November 15, 2014.
  17. ^ "Rays Notes: McGee could join club this week". TBO.com. May 12, 2015. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved May 28, 2015.
  18. ^ Kinsella, Steve (May 5, 2018). "Andrew Velazquez, The Forgotten Prospect And The Jeremy Hellickson Trade". Sportstalkflorida.com. Retrieved September 3, 2018.
  19. ^ "For starters: Rays at Indians, with Andrew Velazquez called up". Tampabay.com. July 26, 2018. Retrieved September 3, 2018.
  20. ^ "Andrew Velazquez Stats | Baseball-Reference.com". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved October 1, 2018.
  21. ^ "Indians' Andrew Velazquez: Sent to Cleveland". CBS Sports. Retrieved July 3, 2019.
  22. ^ RotoWire Staff (July 3, 2019). "Indians' Chih-Wei Hu: Designated for assignment". CBS Sports. Retrieved July 3, 2019.
  23. ^ "Indians promote UTL Andrew Velazquez from Triple-A Columbus". MLB.com.
  24. ^ a b "Cleveland Indians sign OF Domingo Santana to $1.5 million one-year deal with club option". cleveland. February 14, 2020. Retrieved June 10, 2022.
  25. ^ Todd, Jeff (February 19, 2020). "Orioles Claim Andrew Velazquez, Designate Richard Urena". MLBTradeRumors.com.
  26. ^ "Andrew Velazquez Stats, Fantasy & News". MLB.com. Retrieved August 9, 2021.
  27. ^ "Press release: Orioles roster moves 10/29/2020". Mlb.com. Retrieved August 9, 2021.
  28. ^ Hilburn-Trenkle, Chris (November 2, 2020). "Full List of 2020-2021 Minor League Baseball Free Agents". www.baseballamerica.com.
  29. ^ Mark Polishuk (December 16, 2020). "Yankees Sign Andrew Velazquez To Minors Contract". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved August 9, 2021.
  30. ^ "Major League Baseball Transactions | MLB.com". Mlb.mlb.com. Retrieved August 9, 2021.
  31. ^ NJ.com, Brendan Kuty | NJ Advance Media for (August 9, 2021). "Yankees, Royals lineups Monday: DJ LeMahieu out of leadoff spot, Andrew Velazquez at SS, Jameson Taillon on mound". nj.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  32. ^ Davidson, Kavitha A. (August 20, 2021). "The emergence of Andrew Velazquez: Five-borough representative and real-life American dreamer". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
  33. ^ Phillips, Gary (August 20, 2021). "A Bronx Kid Is Living Something Wilder Than His Dreams". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved August 22, 2021.
  34. ^ "Andrew Velazquez's first home run adds to 'surreal' Yankees story". New York Post. August 22, 2021. Retrieved August 22, 2021.
  35. ^ "Andrew Velazquez's first home run adds to 'surreal' Yankees story". New York Post. August 21, 2021. Retrieved August 22, 2021.
  36. ^ "Yankees, Rays lineups Saturday | Andrew Velazquez called up, in at SS with DJ LeMahieu dealing with sports hernia (10/2/21)". October 2, 2021.
  37. ^ "Angels bolster infield depth by adding Andrew Velazquez, Brendon Davis to roster". Los Angeles Times. November 5, 2021.
  38. ^ Fletcher, Jeff (September 14, 2022). "Angels shortstop Andrew Velazquez headed for season-ending surgery". Orange County Register.
  39. ^ "Angels' Andrew Velazquez: Done with switch hitting". cbssports.com. March 2023. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  40. ^ "Angels' Andrew Velazquez: Optioned to Triple-A level". cbssports.com. March 24, 2023. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  41. ^ "Atlanta Braves claim Andrew Velazquez off of waivers; Yonny Chirinos' season is over". si.com. September 5, 2023. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
  42. ^ "Braves lose Sam Hilliard on waiver claim, outright Ben Heller and Andrew Velazquez". batterypower.com. November 2023. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
  43. ^ "Andrew Velazquez: Becomes free agent". cbssports.com. November 3, 2023. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
  44. ^ "Transactions". MLB.com.
  45. ^ Eddy, Matt (November 6, 2024). "Minor League Free Agents 2024". Baseball America. Retrieved November 6, 2024.
  46. ^ "New York Yankees Reunite With Andrew Velazquez on Minor League Deal". si.com. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
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