Miguel Velazquez Scouting Report (2010)
In the South Atlantic League, 22-year old position prospects are few and far between as most have already graduated the full season Class-A ranks. For Rangers prospect Miguel Velazquez, it's not a lack of talent, but problems off the field which has somewhat derailed his development as a prospect.
In 2010, Velazquez posted a .270/.338/.425 triple slash across two levels including a .392 slugging percentage in just under 200 California League at bats. With a full season's worth of at minor league at bats now under his belt, Velazquez needs to up his power production in 2011 to solidify his prospect status.
Admittedly, I might be in the minority on this as a scout asked around and found Velazquez was considered a 55-60 all-around player by some.
However, his peak to me is as a fourth outfielder or starter on a second division team if his development is uninterrupted from here on out which is a mighty big IF. A more likely scenario is Velazquez becoming a AA/AAA player who sticks around for a number of years who maybe has a few isolated cups of coffee at the big league level.
In 2010, Velazquez posted a .270/.338/.425 triple slash across two levels including a .392 slugging percentage in just under 200 California League at bats. With a full season's worth of at minor league at bats now under his belt, Velazquez needs to up his power production in 2011 to solidify his prospect status.
- Listed height/weight of 6-foot-2, 205 pounds, may be generous
- Looked closer to 6-foot-0, 215 lbs.
- Strong core; Big league body
- Agile for a prospect his size; Some explosiveness in his movements
- Able to handle fastballs at the belt and lower well
- Lacks truly explosive wrists; Bat speed a tick above average
- Struggled mightily with 88 MPH+ at the letters or higher
- Home run in game action showed significant power potential; Mistake hitter?
- Weight transfer sometimes takes him too far onto his front foot at times
- Swings over the top of breaking balls and changeups
- Has the ability to fight off tough pitches with two strikes
- Currently plays centerfield; Will need to move to a corner.
- Very good outfield arm; Showed excellent accuracy in game action
- Limited stolen base potential
Admittedly, I might be in the minority on this as a scout asked around and found Velazquez was considered a 55-60 all-around player by some.
However, his peak to me is as a fourth outfielder or starter on a second division team if his development is uninterrupted from here on out which is a mighty big IF. A more likely scenario is Velazquez becoming a AA/AAA player who sticks around for a number of years who maybe has a few isolated cups of coffee at the big league level.
