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Vince Velasquez

Born: 06/07/1992 (Age: 22)
Bats: Right Throws: Right
Height: 6' 3" Weight: 212
Mechanics
Big broad shoulders; very good size and strength; prototype; body could get a little thick going forward but he looks like a good athlete; heavier than listed weight; 3/4 slot; clean arm action; looks easy coming out of his hand; gets downhill well; uses length; quick from the stretch; showed a slide-step; frustrated on the mound at times; sidelined since May 9th with a groin injury.
Evaluator Chris Rodriguez
Report Date 07/06/2014
Affiliate Lancaster JetHawks (High A, Astros)
Dates Seen 4/24
OFP 55
MLB ETA 2016
Video No
Pitch Type Future Grade Sitting Velocity Peak Velocity Report
FB 65 93-96 97 Plus pitch; flashed plus-plus; easy velocity; mostly 94's; pumped it up to 96 whenever he needed; features some arm-side life; control was solid but command needs work; plays down; misses arm-side; pitches leaked over the heart of the plate while trying to go inside to LHH; lead to hard hit balls (two home runs); plus-plus with better command and comfort.
CB 50 78-80 81 Curve is below-avg. at the moment; can get loopy; command was suspect; slowed arm a little; has some bite at higher velocities; 11/5 break; isn't a plus pitch going forward, but has some projection; future league-avg; definitely working on the pitch; thrown twice as much than the changeup.
CH 65 80-82 83 Present plus-pitch; arm speed gives pitch very good deception; velo difference is 10+ mph; kept the pitch down for the most part; 2-seam sink; plus feel for the pitch; kept it in his back pocket.
Overall

Velazquez has been sidelined for a while now, but the pitcher I saw in this game had some promise. The fastball-changeup combination is major league quality and has the chance to become plus-plus with more reps and command. The curve needs to take a step forward, which is why the injury comes at a bad time in this part of his development. If it does step up to major league average, then I believe he has the chance to become a work-horse, #3 starter. Realistically, he may fall just below that, but still becoming a nice back-end starter that has value.

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