Andrew Velazquez Stats & Scouting Report

AB	125
AVG	.232
OBP	.302
SLG	.312
HR	2

Full name Andrew Velazquez
Born 07/14/1994 in Bronx, NY
Profile Ht.: 5'9" / Wt.: 170 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School Fordham Prep
Debut 09/02/2018
Drafted in the 7th round (243rd overall) by the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2012 (signed for $200,000).

View Draft Report

A small shortstop from New York City, Velazquez is committed to Virginia Tech. He's a singles hitter from both sides of the plate and showed below-average times down the line last summer.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

Track Record: Acquired by the Rays in a deal that sent Jeremy Hellickson to the D-backs. Velazquez's prospect status had waned since as scouts didn't believe his bat or glove were strong enough to be an everyday shortstop. But he began playing outfield in 2018, and his versatility got him to the majors.

Scouting Report: Velazquez has gone full circle as a player. He was an outfielder for most of his high school career before moving to shortstop. Now moving to center field has kick-started his career because he quickly established himself as an exceptional defender there. While Velazquez is an average defender at shortstop, he's at least a plus defender in center and there are scouts who say he's plus-plus. He's also a plus runner who uses that speed well on the basepaths. And he's a contact hitter from both sides of the plate. He projects to have below-average power with a contact-oriented approach.

The Future: Velazquez's value is in his versatility. He doesn't hit enough to be a regular at any one spot, but his ability to play an excellent center field, second, shortstop or third base makes him a useful utilityman. He'll compete for a big league spot in spring training.
Velazquez signed for $200,000 after the Diamondbacks selected him in the seventh round of the 2012 draft. In low Class A South Bend in 2014 he made headline news with a 74-game on-base streak, then he and outfielder Justin Williams joined the Rays in a November trade involving Jeremy Hellickson. Velazquez has a good feel for hitting from both sides of the plate and good bat speed because of his strong hands, but he needs to improve his strike-zone discipline and contact rate. He showed surprising power from a small, 5-foot-8 frame. He's a plus runner with good instincts on the bases, and he led the Midwest League with 50 stolen bases after swiping just seven bags the previous year. Velazquez played entirely at shortstop in 2014 after starting his career as a second baseman and showed significant improvement with solid-average range and a strong arm. Scouts believe he best suits a utility-infield profile with his glove, speed and switch-hit bat, but some give him a chance to develop into a starting second baseman. He moves up to high Class A Charlotte in 2015.
The Bronx, N.Y., native turned pro rather than attend Virginia Tech when the Diamondbacks offered him $200,000 as a seventh-round pick in 2012. After a successful debut in the Rookie-level Arizona League, he played so well in 2013 extended spring training that Arizona assigned him to low Class A South Bend in early June. A diminutive switch-hitter, Velazquez had his ups and downs in full-season ball, but he finished strong by batting .303/.404/.360 over the final month after gaining a better understanding of the strike zone. While he doesn't hit for power, he generates above-average bat speed owing to strong hands. He's a plus runner with good instincts on the bases, but he needs to learn better basestealing techniques. Primarily a second baseman in 2012, Velasquez actually spent more time at shortstop with South Bend. He has the arm strength for the position but needs to learn how to go to his backhand and throw from different angles. Velazquez may return to South Bend for more seasoning, and he profiles best as a utility infielder.
Arizona scouted Velazquez in the summer before his senior year of high school and kept tabs on his progress before drafting him last June and signing him quickly for $200,000. After playing shortstop in high school, Velazquez spent most of his first pro season at second base, and that's where he looks best suited. The undersized infielder quickly became a favorite both of the Diamondbacks' Arizona League coaching staff and scouts covering the league for his athleticism, speed and gamer mentality on the field. Velazquez has good hands that help him generate above-average bat speed. His raw speed is above-average, and it plays up because he's a smart baserunner, stealing 22 bases in 25 attempts in his first season. He doesn't yet have much power (his only homer was inside the park), but started to show a little more pop during instructional league and could eventually hit 10-15 homers a year. While he's still relatively new to the infield, having been an outfielder earlier in his high school career, he should be a solid defender. He's capable of playing either middle-infield position, with enough arm for shortstop. Velazquez will need lots of development time, so he'll probably return to a short-season team in 2013.

Minor League Top Prospects

It's a good time to be a short middle infielder. With Jose Altuve's run at a batting title and Dustin Pedroia's full trophy case, evaluators are more willing to consider an undersized shortstop or second baseman as a potential everyday regular. Velazquez made headlines at South Bend with a 74-game on-base streak, the longest such streak anyone has discovered for a player in the minors. (Caveat: Detailed records for such things date back only about a decade.) In an ironic twist, scouts have more doubts about Velazquez's bat than any other tool. They like his plus arm and think he can play both shortstop and second base with average to tick above-average range. He is a difference-maker on the basepaths with double-plus speed and a solid understanding of how to steal bases. But scouts wonder just how much Velazquez will hit long term. He sprays line drives to all fields, and he has better power than one would expect, but he would benefit from a better understanding of the strike zone. Even a worst-case scenario appears to be big league utility infielder.

Best Tools List

Rated Most Exciting Player in the Midwest League in 2014
Rated Best Defensive SS in the Midwest League in 2014

Career Transactions

Round Rock Express released SS Andrew Velazquez.
SS Andrew Velazquez elected free agency.
SS Andrew Velazquez assigned to Leones de Ponce.
SS Andrew Velazquez elected free agency.
Atlanta Braves invited non-roster SS Andrew Velazquez to spring training.
SS Andrew Velazquez assigned to Gwinnett Stripers.
Atlanta Braves signed free agent SS Andrew Velazquez to a minor league contract.
SS Andrew Velazquez elected free agency.
Atlanta Braves sent SS Andrew Velazquez outright to Gwinnett Stripers.
Atlanta Braves activated SS Andrew Velazquez.
Atlanta Braves recalled SS Andrew Velazquez from Gwinnett Stripers.
SS Andrew Velazquez roster status changed by Atlanta Braves.
Atlanta Braves optioned SS Andrew Velazquez to Gwinnett Stripers.
Atlanta Braves claimed SS Andrew Velazquez off waivers from Los Angeles Angels.
Atlanta Braves claimed SS Andrew Velazquez off waivers from Los Angeles Angels.
Gwinnett Stripers activated SS Andrew Velazquez.
SS Andrew Velazquez roster status changed by Los Angeles Angels.
Salt Lake Bees activated SS Andrew Velazquez.
Los Angeles Angels optioned SS Andrew Velazquez to Salt Lake Bees.
Los Angeles Angels recalled SS Andrew Velazquez from Salt Lake Bees.
Los Angeles Angels optioned SS Andrew Velazquez to Salt Lake Bees.
Los Angeles Angels optioned SS Andrew Velazquez to Salt Lake Bees.
Los Angeles Angels activated SS Andrew Velazquez from the 60-day injured list.
Los Angeles Angels transferred SS Andrew Velazquez from the 10-day injured list to the 60-day injured list.
Los Angeles Angels placed SS Andrew Velazquez on the 10-day injured list. Right meniscus tear.
Los Angeles Angels optioned SS Andrew Velazquez to Salt Lake Bees.
Los Angeles Angels claimed SS Andrew Velazquez off waivers from New York Yankees.
New York Yankees recalled SS Andrew Velazquez from Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders.
New York Yankees selected the contract of SS Andrew Velazquez.
New York Yankees selected the contract of SS Andrew Velazquez.
New York Yankees optioned SS Andrew Velazquez to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders.
New York Yankees selected the contract of SS Andrew Velazquez from Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders.
New York Yankees signed free agent SS Andrew Velazquez to a minor league contract.
SS Andrew Velazquez assigned to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders.
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders released SS Andrew Velazquez.
SS Andrew Velazquez assigned to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders.
SS Andrew Velazquez assigned to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders from Yankees Alternate Training Site.
SS Andrew Velazquez assigned to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders.
3B Andrew Velazquez assigned to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders.
New York Yankees signed free agent SS Andrew Velazquez.
New York Yankees signed free agent 3B Andrew Velazquez to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training.
3B Andrew Velazquez elected free agency.
Baltimore Orioles sent 3B Andrew Velazquez outright to Norfolk Tides.
Baltimore Orioles recalled 3B Andrew Velazquez from Orioles Alternate Training Site.
Baltimore Orioles optioned 3B Andrew Velazquez to Orioles Alternate Training Site.
Andrew Velazquez changed number to .
Baltimore Orioles claimed 3B Andrew Velazquez off waivers from Cleveland Indians.
Cleveland Indians designated 3B Andrew Velazquez for assignment.
3B Andrew Velazquez assigned to Criollos de Caguas.
Cleveland Indians recalled 3B Andrew Velazquez from Columbus Clippers.
Columbus Clippers activated 3B Andrew Velazquez from the 7-day injured list.
Columbus Clippers placed 3B Andrew Velazquez on the 7-day injured list.
Columbus Clippers activated 3B Andrew Velazquez from the 7-day injured list.
AZL Indians Blue sent 3B Andrew Velazquez on a rehab assignment to AZL Indians Red.
Columbus Clippers sent 3B Andrew Velazquez on a rehab assignment to AZL Indians Blue.
Tampa Bay Rays traded 3B Andrew Velazquez to Cleveland Indians for Future Considerations.
3B Andrew Velazquez assigned to Columbus Clippers.
Durham Bulls placed 3B Andrew Velazquez on the 7-day injured list retroactive to June 27, 2019.
Durham Bulls activated 3B Andrew Velazquez from the 7-day injured list.
Durham Bulls placed 3B Andrew Velazquez on the 7-day injured list.
Tampa Bay Rays recalled Andrew Velazquez from Durham Bulls.
Tampa Bay Rays optioned 3B Andrew Velazquez to Durham Bulls.
Tampa Bay Rays recalled Andrew Velazquez from Durham Bulls.
Tampa Bay Rays optioned SS Andrew Velazquez to Durham Bulls.
Tampa Bay Rays recalled Andrew Velazquez from Durham Bulls.
Tampa Bay Rays optioned SS Andrew Velazquez to Durham Bulls.
Tampa Bay Rays optioned SS Andrew Velazquez to Durham Bulls.
Tampa Bay Rays selected the contract of Andrew Velazquez from Durham Bulls.
SS Andrew Velazquez assigned to Durham Bulls from Montgomery Biscuits.
Tampa Bay Rays invited non-roster SS Andrew Velazquez to spring training.
SS Andrew Velazquez assigned to Montgomery Biscuits from Charlotte Stone Crabs.
SS Andrew Velazquez assigned to Tampa Bay Rays.
SS Andrew Velazquez assigned to Criollos de Caguas.
Charlotte Stone Crabs activated SS Andrew Velazquez from the 7-day disabled list.
Charlotte Stone Crabs placed SS Andrew Velazquez on the 7-day disabled list.
SS Andrew Velazquez assigned to Tampa Bay Rays.
Charlotte Stone Crabs activated SS Andrew Velazquez from the 7-day disabled list.
Charlotte Stone Crabs placed SS Andrew Velazquez on the 7-day disabled list.
Charlotte Stone Crabs activated SS Andrew Velazquez from the 7-day disabled list.
Charlotte Stone Crabs sent SS Andrew Velazquez on a rehab assignment to GCL Rays.
Andrew Velazquez assigned to Rays Extended Spring Training from Charlotte Stone Crabs.
Charlotte Stone Crabs placed SS Andrew Velazquez on the 7-day disabled list.
Charlotte Stone Crabs activated SS Andrew Velazquez from the 7-day disabled list.
Charlotte Stone Crabs placed SS Andrew Velazquez on the 7-day disabled list. Strained left shoulder.
SS Andrew Velazquez assigned to Charlotte Stone Crabs.
SS Andrew Velazquez assigned to Team Figueroa.
Tampa Bay Rays traded RHP Jeremy Hellickson to Arizona Diamondbacks for SS Andrew Velazquez and OF Justin Williams.
SS Andrew Velazquez assigned to Visalia Rawhide from South Bend Silver Hawks.
SS Andrew Velazquez assigned to MID East Division All-Stars.
SS Andrew Velazquez assigned to Arizona Diamondbacks.
SS Andrew Velazquez assigned to South Bend Silver Hawks from Missoula Osprey.
Andrew Velazquez assigned to South Bend Silver Hawks.
SS Andrew Velazquez assigned to Arizona Diamondbacks.
Indios de Mayaguez placed SS Andrew Velazquez on the reserve list.
SS Andrew Velazquez assigned to Indios de Mayaguez.
Indios de Mayaguez activated SS Andrew Velazquez.
Andrew Velazquez assigned to Missoula Osprey from AZL D-backs.
Andrew Velazquez assigned to AZL D-backs from Arizona Diamondbacks.
Arizona Diamondbacks signed SS Andrew Velazquez.
Los Angeles Angels recalled SS Andrew Velazquez, and from Salt Lake Bees.