Ryan Velazquez

RYAN VELAZQUEZ, RIGHT HANDED PITCHER
Born: May 28, 1999
Height: 6’4″
Weight: 225
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
How Acquired: Non-drafted free agent, 2022
College: University of Washington
Agent: N/A

WTM’s PLAYER PROFILE
Velazquez played for two years for Alabama State and then as a senior for Washington.  He’s been almost exclusively a reliever.  As a junior he had a 2.52 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 13.7 K/9.  He did have control problems, walking 6.1 per nine.  At Washington in 2022 he had an ERA of 4.39, although he actually lowered his WHIP to 1.22.  That was the result of much-improved control — 3.5 BB/9 — which came with a reduced K/9 of 8.6.  Velazquez also played summer ball for two years, something that seems to carry a lot of weight with the Pirates.  In 2021 he had control problems, walking nearly a batter an inning.  In 2022 he only threw ten innings, walking five and fanning 18.  The Pirates signed him as a free agent two days after the 2022 draft ended.

2022
R:  0-1-0, 13.50 ERA, 6.00 WHIP, 1.1 IP, 13.5 BB/9, 0.0 K/9

Velazquez got into two games in the FCL, retiring only four of the ten batters he faced.

Velazquez hasn’t had a chance to show anything yet.  He’ll probably provide bullpen depth at the lower levels in 2023.

CONTRACT INFORMATION
2023: Minor league salary
PLAYER INFORMATION
Signing Bonus: N/A
MiLB Debut: 2022
MLB Debut:
MiLB FA Eligible: 2028
MLB FA Eligible:
Rule 5 Eligible: 2025
Added to 40-Man:
Options Remaining: 3
MLB Service Time: 0.000
TRANSACTIONS
July 21, 2022: Signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates as a non-drafted free agent.