Andrew Velazquez

Andrew Velazquez (born July 14, 1994) is an American professional baseball infielder for the Baltimore Orioles of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has played for the Tampa Bay Rays and Cleveland Indians.

Not to be confused with Andrew Velasquez.
Andrew Velazquez
Velazquez with the Indians in February 2020
Baltimore Orioles – No. 13
Infielder
Born: (1994-07-14) July 14, 1994
The Bronx, New York
Bats: Switch Throws: Right
MLB debut
September 2, 2018, for the Tampa Bay Rays
MLB statistics
(through 2019 season)
Batting average.152
Home runs0
Runs batted in0
Teams

Amateur career

Velazquez attended Fordham Preparatory School in The Bronx, New York City, 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.[1] In his senior year, the New York Post named Velazquez their All-Bronx Baseball Player of the Year.[2] 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.

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.[1][3] He signed with the Diamondbacks, receiving a $200,000 signing bonus, bypassing his commitment to Virginia Tech.[4] 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.[5][6]

In 2013, Velazquez was assigned to the South Bend Silver Hawks of the Class A Midwest League. For the season, he had a .260 batting average, but had almost three times as many strikeouts as walks.[7] 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.[8][9] His streak, which lasted from April 22 to July 16, ended at 74 consecutive games.[10][11] After the season, Velazquez was named the Midwest League's Prospect of the Year.[11]

Tampa Bay Rays

On November 14, 2014, Velazquez along with Justin Williams were traded from the Diamondbacks to the Tampa Bay Rays for Jeremy Hellickson.[12][13] He began the 2015 season with the Charlotte Stone Crabs of the Class A-Advanced Florida State League, but underwent surgery in May to repair a broken hamate bone.[14] 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 Class AA Southern League in 2017 and Montgomery and the Durham Bulls of the Class AAA International League in 2018.[15]

On September 2, 2018, the Rays promoted Velazquez to the major leagues.[16] He recorded three hits in ten at-bats playing off the bench. Despite only playing 34.2 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).[17]

Cleveland Indians

On July 3, 2019, the Rays traded Velazquez to the Cleveland Indians in exchange for international bonus pool allotments.[18] In a corresponding move the Indians designated Chih-Wei Hu for assignment.[19]

Velazquez was designated for assignment on February 14, 2020.

Baltimore Orioles

Velazquez was claimed off waivers by the Baltimore Orioles on February 19, 2020.[20]

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References
  1. 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.
  2. Braziller, Zach (June 22, 2012). "The Post's All-Bronx baseball honors". New York Post. Retrieved September 5, 2014.
  3. Raimondi, Marc (June 6, 2012). "Fordham Prep star is highest CHSAA baseball draft pick in decade". New York Post. Retrieved September 5, 2014.
  4. Walder, Seth (June 12, 2012). "Andrew Velazquez, shortstop at Fordham Prep HS, agrees in principal 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.
  5. 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.
  6. "Fordham Prep alum flies through minor league baseball". News 12 The Bronx. September 6, 2012. Retrieved September 5, 2014. (subscription required)
  7. Braziller, Zach (July 16, 2014). "Bronx slugger a hit after breaking minor-league on base record". New York Post. Retrieved September 5, 2014.
  8. Axisa, Mike (July 14, 2014). "D-Backs prospect Andrew Velazquez sets minor-league on-base record". CBS Sports. Retrieved September 5, 2014.
  9. 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.
  10. McManaman, Bob (August 1, 2014). "Diamondbacks prospect Andrew Velazquez turning heads in minors". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved September 5, 2014.
  11. 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.
  12. Gilbert, Steve (November 14, 2014). "D-backs land Hellickson for two prospects". Retrieved November 15, 2014.
  13. "D-Backs acquire pitcher Hellickson from Rays". ESPN.com. Associated Press. November 14, 2014. Retrieved November 15, 2014.
  14. "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.
  15. Kinsella, Steve. "Andrew Velazquez, The Forgotten Prospect And The Jeremy Hellickson Trade". Sportstalkflorida.com. Retrieved September 3, 2018.
  16. "For starters: Rays at Indians, with Andrew Velazquez called up". Tampabay.com. July 26, 2018. Retrieved September 3, 2018.
  17. "Andrew Velazquez Stats | Baseball-Reference.com". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved October 1, 2018.
  18. "Indians' Andrew Velazquez: Sent to Cleveland". CBS Sports. Retrieved July 3, 2019.
  19. RotoWire Staff (July 3, 2019). "Indians' Chih-Wei Hu: Designated for assignment". CBS Sports. Retrieved July 3, 2019.
  20. Todd, Jeff (February 19, 2020). "Orioles Claim Andrew Velazquez, Designate Richard Urena". MLBTradeRumors.com.
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