Red Sox Prospect Hector Velazquez Dazzles In Start With Paw Sox
Hector Velazquez started on the mound today as the Pawtucket Red Sox closed out their home schedule at McCoy Stadium. He dazzled the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs through 7 innings while giving up only 1 hit. HE was credited with the win as the Paw Sox went on to beat the Iron Pigs 3-0 in front of 8,207 fans.
Before today, Velazquez looked like he was starting to get tired. Over a 3 start period, he gave up 10 runs (9 earned). For a guy who has had an ERA for a majority of the season around 1.50, that is very troubling.
But the last time he pitched before today was 9 days ago, and it looked like it benefited him greatly. Velazquez and Brian Johnson are two players that could give the Red Sox pitching staff a huge boost this September.
Hector Velazquez last 4 starts at AAA Pawtucket:
- July 29th at Indianapolis: 5 innings, giving up 8 hits, 5 runs (2 home runs), 1 walk, and 5 strikeouts on 74 pitches (47 strikes).
- August 7th vs. Charlotte: 5 innings, giving up 2 hits, 0 runs, 2 walks, 9 strikeouts on 88 pitches (58 strikes).
- August 12th against Columbus: 4 innings, giving up 7 hits, 5 runs (4 earned), 3 walks, and struck out 3 on 92 pitches (51 strikes).
- August 18th at Columbus: 6 innings, giving up 5 hits, 3 runs (1 home run) 1 walk, and struck out 5 on 97 pitches (61 strikes).
Velazquez Today
Velazquez was optioned to the Boston Red Sox on August 22nd before being re-optioned back to AAA Pawtucket on the 24th. This gave Velazquez an extra 4 days off. It looked like Velazquez benefited from extra time off.
Today Velazquez showed that he can pitch exactly like how he was earlier this season. A few weeks ago after his start against the Columbus Clippers, I said that it looked like Velazquez was tired and needed down time. Today he was able to have his start on extra rest, and pitched like he was refreshed.
Velazquez easily had his best start of the season for Paw Sox. In 7 innings, today, he gave up 1 hit, 0 runs, 1 walk, and 3 strikeouts on 95 pitches (62 strikes). The one hit he gave up was a 2 out single to Cameron Perkins in the 1st inning. After that he retired 19 of the next 20 batters to close out his day.
Velazquez Going Forward
Hector Velazquez and Brian Johnson are two pitchers that are probably going to be called up to Boston this September. Both pitchers are capable of starting games for the Boston Red Sox too. They both could come up big for the Red Sox if they do need them while the Red Sox try to get some extra rest for their current starters.
Earlier this month, it looked like that Velazquez was starting to get tired. At one point over 3 starts, he gave up 9 earned runs over 14 innings. That was from a guy who had a 1.58 ERA at the beginning of that stretch.
This extra time off looked like it benefited Velazquez greatly. Going forward, I see that Velazquez could be a valuable member of the Red Sox pitching staff come this September.
