Vincent VelasquezHow did he get here?: Drafted, 2010 (2nd Round)
Stats: 6'3", 185 lbs, Throws: Right
Age as of April 1, 2011: 18
Birthplace/Hometown: Pomona, CA
Men of the Match: 4
2010 Overview (Greeneville + Tri-City)
| IP | ERA/WHIP | K:BB | BAA | K/9 | BB/9 |
| 29.1 | 3.07/0.99 | 25:5 | .287 | 7.7 | 1.5 |
What happened?
Velasquez was drafted in the 2nd Round of June's draft, and went directly to Greeneville, where he was very effective in what was his 18-year old season.
He made his debut on July 7, and allowed 0H/0ER, 1K:2BB in 1IP, and walked three more batters the rest of the season. Velasquez made his final start of the season against Princeton on August 24 where he left after 3.2IP - it turns out that some scar tissue had broken loose in his elbow. It was initially thought that there was no ligament or tendon damage, but he underwent Tommy John surgery in September, and will be out until 2011.
What went right?
Right-handed batters. Against RHBs, Velasquez allowed 14H/5ER, with 16K:2BB in 19.2IP - also allowing RHBs to hit .187 against him.
K:BB. As mentioned before, Velasquez walked three batters once he got that first inning out of the way, including just one walk over his final 22.1IP (15K in that same span).
What went wrong?
Besides the Tommy John surgery? If we're (nit-)picking a couple of things, it may be flyballs. He ended up with a 1:1 GB:FB ratio on the season, but that became 0.68 with the bases empty and 0.83 w/RISP.
It should also be noted that Velasquez allowed four homers during the season - two to RHBs and two to LHBs. All four came in his final five starts.
Appy Astros says:
There is a great deal to be excited about here but in cloud of injury is hanging over him. How his arm heals will determine his location this year. If healthy, I could easily see him in Lexington.
Luckily for Velasquez, he'll only be 19 at the end of next season, so he will be turning 20 in 2012 when he - ideally - returns from Tommy John surgery. Provided he comes back in the way that pitchers traditionally do from TJ, there's still quite a lot to be excited about.
