Giants Shortstop Diego Velasquez Is A Bit Of A Throwback


Fifty years ago, a prototypical big league middle infielder prioritized quickness and defense. As a result, they tended to be smaller men with excellent bat control and stolen base proficiency.
Diego Velasquez would fit the profile of a 1970s shortstop, but the Giants are thankful he’s with the organization in 2025.
“He has shown to be something that every team would love to have in their farm system,” Giants farm director Kyle Haines said. “Somebody who can play in the middle of the diamond, switch-hitter, plus bat-to-ball skills, does a lot of things really well that are valued.”
The Giants signed Velasquez out of Venezuela in 2021. He spent most of his first two seasons in the Arizona Complex League. After a brief stint with Low-A San Jose in 2022, he thrived at that level in 2023, leading the California League with 127 hits and 32 doubles.
He stole 23 bases in 2023, then stole 21 more last season at High-A Eugene and Double-A Richmond. He hit .288/.368/.384 with four home runs in 113 games in 2024.
“Diego will have a little more power than speed eventually,” Haines said. “They always say good hitters will hit for power as they just play more. He’s that type of guy.
“He doesn’t have that raw, massive power, but he hits the barrel so much that he has doubles power now that will turn into probably over-the-fence power.”
The 6-foot-1, 190-pound Velasquez has played 227 minor league games at shortstop and 90 at second base. Haines isn’t sure what infield position Velasquez will play.
“There’s always going to be a knock on him at short, because he just doesn’t have that standout speed or standout arm,” Haines said, “but he’s adequate at both. So, I think a lot of people will naturally say second base, but he’s capable of being a very reliable shortstop.”