Guardians' Ralphy Velazquez: On fire for RubberDucks
Rotowire
Velazquez is hitting .500 with four home runs and a 4:4 K:BB in six games since getting promoted to Double-A Akron on Aug. 11.
Velazquez had been dialed in at High-A Lake County prior to his promotion, as he slashed .336/.417/.598 with seven home runs and a 14.4 percent strikeout rate in his final 31 games for the Captains. The lefty-hitting first baseman/corner outfielder turned 20 in May, so he's young for Double-A but has been the best hitter at the level since arriving there last week.
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Guardians' Ralphy Velazquez: Jumps to High-A
Rotowire
The Guardians promoted Velazquez from Single-A Lynchburg to High-A Lake County on Monday.
Though the Guardians have seemingly closed the door on developing Velazquez as a catcher, the 19-year-old has cemented himself as one of the organization's top position prospects thanks to the slugging potential he brings as a first baseman. He put that power on display during his time with Lynchburg, notching 31 extra-base hits over 375 plate appearances while also keeping his strikeout rate (20 percent) in check. Velazquez will get a tougher test as he makes the move to the Midwest League, where he'll once again be one of the youngest hitters on the circuit.
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Guardians' Ralphy Velazquez: Full-time first baseman
Rotowire
Velazquez has started 21 games at first base and zero games at catcher thus far for Single-A Lynchburg.
Velazquez was drafted with the 23rd overall pick last year as a bat-first catcher who might move to first base, and that transition has already taken place before his 19th birthday later this month. The lefty-hitting slugger may indeed offer the requisite offensive impact for first base, as he is slashing .264/.343/.505 with six home runs, a .242 ISO and a 20 percent strikeout rate in 105 plate appearances for the Hillcats as one of the youngest hitters in the Carolina League.
