FanPost

What's the deal with Velez?


I haven't seen an in depth discussion of the return of Velez. Since being called up, he's actually been contributing to wins. His impressive numbers(211 OPS+) can easily be attributed to small sample size, but to me he looks like an entirely different player. He's playing smarter and with more confidence, both at the plate and in the field.

I think the general consensus is that he was a player with some tools but just didn't have an aptitude for the game. Seeing him since he returned, it looks like someone put a new brain in his head.

Could it be that Velez could actually be a part of this team on a go-forward basis? If he keeps getting on base like he has been, he could be catalyst at the top of the order and perhaps playing LF. I know people normally like to have a slugger at that position, but I'm reminded of Alan Wiggins (late father of basketball star Candice Wiggins) on the Padres in the 80s, a skinny speedy LF/2B who helped set the table and contributed to a pennant.

The thing the jumps out at me about Velez and makes him so intriguing is his ability to hit the ball hard. He's hardly a slugger, but his game doesn't rely on bloops and seeing-eye grounders like Burriss. Along with his speed, it makes him a hard guy to give up on.

So what do others think? Is he teasing us with fool's gold or has he perhaps settled down and found himself?

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