Vincent Velasquez, Starting Pitcher, Pittsburgh Pirates
Date of Birth: 6/7/1992
Birthplace: Montclair, California
Vincent Velasquez, starting pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates, was drafted by the Houston Astros in 2010. He pitched in their minor league system in 2010 and from 2012 through 2014. He missed the entire 2011 season due to Tommy John surgery.
As a minor league pitcher from 2010 through 2014, Velasquez pitched 263.1 innings in 63 games. He had a 22-14 record and 309 strikeouts to 88 walks.
Velasquez pitched as a relief pitcher in 19 games with the Astros in 2015. He finished the season with a 4.37 ERA in 55.2 innings.
Velasquez was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies on December 12, 2015. He finished the 2016 season with a 4.12 ERA, 8 wins and 6 losses, and 152 strikeouts to 45 walks in 131.0 innings in 24 games.
Velasquez spent time on the DL in 2017, limiting his playing time to 15 games. He finished the season with 2 wins and 7 losses, 68 strikeouts to 34 walks, and a 5.13 ERA in 72.0 innings.
Velasquez was on the DL in 2018 with a right forearm contusion. He pitched in 31 games with the Phillies and he had a 4.85 ERA, 9 wins and 12 losses, and 161 strikeouts to 59 walks in 146.2 innings.
Velasquez spent time on the DL in 2019 with a right forearm strain. He finished the season with 7 wins and 8 losses, 130 strikeouts to 43 walks, and a 4.91 ERA in 117.1 innings in 33 games.
Velasquez pitched in nine games in 2020. He finished the season with 1 win and 1 loss, 46 strikeouts to 17 walks, and a 5.56 ERA in 34.0 innings.
Velasquez was released by the Phillies on September 12, 2021. He signed a minor league contract with the San Diego Padres on September 15th. He spent time on the IL in 2021 with a finger blister. He finished the season with 3 wins and 9 losses, 101 strikeouts to 49 walks, and a 6.30 ERA in 94.1 innings in 21 games with the Phillies and 4 games with the Padres.
Velasquez became a free agent on November 3, 2021. He signed with the Chicago White Sox on March 14, 2022.
Velasquez became a free agent on November 6, 2022. He signed with the Pirates on December 13th.
Career pitching statistics for Velasquez through 2021 include:
- 156 games played
- 651.0 innings pitched
- 31-44 win-loss record
- 716 strikeouts to 268 walks
- 4.95 ERA
Sources for Information
Wikipedia - Vincent Velasquez
ESPN - Vincent Velasquez
Baseball Reference - Vincent Velasquez