Andrew Velazquez


Andrew Velazquez is an American professional baseball infielder for the Baltimore Orioles of Major League Baseball. He has played for the Tampa Bay Rays and Cleveland Indians.

Amateur career

Velazquez attended Fordham Preparatory School in The Bronx, New York City, where he played for the school's baseball team. He played as a center fielder until his senior year, when he became the team's starting shortstop. In his senior year, the New York Post named Velazquez their All-Bronx Baseball Player of the Year. Velazquez also competed on the Prep's track and field team, as a sprinter and high jumper. He received an athletic scholarship to attend Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University to play college baseball for the Virginia Tech Hokies.

Professional career

Arizona Diamondbacks

The Arizona Diamondbacks selected him in the seventh round, with the 243rd overall selection, of the 2012 Major League Baseball Draft. He signed with the Diamondbacks, receiving a $200,000 signing bonus, bypassing his commitment to Virginia Tech. That year, he made his professional debut with the Rookie-level Arizona League Diamondbacks of the Arizona League and the Missoula Osprey of the Pioneer League.
In 2013, Velazquez was assigned to the South Bend Silver Hawks of the Class A Midwest League. For the season, he had a.260 batting average, but had almost three times as many strikeouts as walks. Returning to South Bend in 2014, Velazquez set a Minor League Baseball record with his 72nd consecutive game reaching base, breaking the record of 71 set by Kevin Millar in 1997 and tied by Kevin Youkilis in 2003. His streak, which lasted from April 22 to July 16, ended at 74 consecutive games. After the season, Velazquez was named the Midwest League's Prospect of the Year.

Tampa Bay Rays

On November 14, 2014, Velazquez along with Justin Williams were traded from the Diamondbacks to the Tampa Bay Rays for Jeremy Hellickson. He began the 2015 season with the Charlotte Stone Crabs of the Class A-Advanced Florida State League, but underwent surgery in May to repair a broken hamate bone. He finished the season hitting.290/.343/.360 in 47 games. He returned to Charlotte in 2016, where he finished an injury shortened season hitting.262/.313/.308 in 75 games. Velazquez played for the Montgomery Biscuits of the Class AA Southern League in 2017 and Montgomery and the Durham Bulls of the Class AAA International League in 2018.
On September 2, 2018, the Rays promoted Velazquez to the major leagues. He recorded three hits in ten at-bats playing off the bench. Despite only playing 34.2 innings and making only one start, Velazquez played at least one inning at six positions.

Cleveland Indians

On July 3, 2019, the Rays traded Velazquez to the Cleveland Indians in exchange for international bonus pool allotments. In a corresponding move the Indians designated Chih-Wei Hu for assignment.
Velazquez was designated for assignment on February 14, 2020.

Baltimore Orioles

Velazquez was claimed off waivers by the Baltimore Orioles on February 19, 2020.