The Royals launched Nelson Velázquez this afternoon. The information was introduced by their Triple-A affiliate in Omaha. The membership additionally introduced that they’ve activated Cavan Biggio, suggesting the veteran infielder has agreed to just accept the minor league task after being optioned over the weekend. Velázquez had already been outrighted off Kansas Metropolis’s 40-man roster throughout Spring Coaching, so this doesn’t affect the MLB roster depend.
Velázquez landed with Kansas Metropolis in an under-the-radar deadline commerce in 2023. The Royals took a flier on the power-hitting outfielder whereas dealing reliever José Cuas to the Cubs in a one-for-one swap. Each gamers had some success early on with their new organizations, but it surely proved fleeting in every case.
The 26-year-old Velázquez drilled 14 dwelling runs in his first 40 video games as a Royal. He hit .233 with a .299 on-base proportion, although the ability jolt was sufficient for him to open the ’24 season as Matt Quatraro’s main designated hitter. Velázquez was unable to take care of something near the tempo of his earlier 12 months. He managed eight longballs in a career-high 230 plate appearances. His already middling batting common and on-base marks every went within the flawed course. He completed the season with a .200/.274/.366 batting line whereas putting out practically 27% of the time.
Velázquez has been unable to show issues round early this 12 months. He hit .208 in 12 Spring Coaching video games and was batting .202/.298/.377 throughout 131 plate appearances in Omaha. Velázquez is averaging a strong 92.5 MPH on his batted balls within the minors, however he’s putting out in over 1 / 4 of his journeys whereas hitting lots of infield pop-ups. He doesn’t have a lot to fall again on past the ability, as he’s a poor defensive outfielder who has spent extra time as a DH this 12 months. He’ll presumably search for one other minor league alternative elsewhere.
