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The St. Louis Cardinals have continued to quietly reshape their roster this offseason, making another low-risk move to add depth and competition ahead of spring training.
St. Louis announced its group of non-roster invitees this week, and among them is corner outfielder and designated hitter Nelson Velázquez, who has signed a minor league deal with an invitation to big league camp, according to MLB Trade Rumors. While the move may not grab headlines, it fits the Cardinals’ broader approach as they navigate a transitional period and look for upside plays that could pay off later in the season.
Velázquez, 27, is attempting to work his way back to the major leagues after spending the last two seasons on the fringes of MLB rosters. Once viewed as an intriguing power bat, he now enters spring training with St. Louis as a depth option who could benefit from opportunity if things break right.
Nelson Velázquez Looks to Reclaim His MLB Footing
Velázquez’s path back to affiliated ball hasn’t been a straight line. After being outrighted off the Kansas City Royals’ 40-man roster last spring, he struggled early at Triple-A and was released in May after hitting just .202 over 33 games. That setback pushed him to the Mexican League, where his bat came back to life.
In Mexico, Velázquez rediscovered the power that once made him a promising piece. He racked up over 49 games, forcing MLB organizations to take another look. The Pittsburgh Pirates signed him to a minor league deal late in the season, and he finished the year at Triple-A Indianapolis, where the production carried over. Over 79 plate appearances, Velázquez slashed .284/.329/.554 with five home runs, flashing the kind of pop that keeps him on teams’ radar.
That surge wasn’t enough to earn a call-up, but it was enough to secure a fresh opportunity with the Cardinals.
At the major league level, Velázquez has shown flashes but struggled to find consistency. Between time with the Chicago Cubs and Royals, he owns a .212/.286/.433 line across 615 plate appearances, roughly the equivalent of one full season. The power has been real—31 home runs—but the on-base skills and batting average have limited his ability to stick long term. His best stretch came in the second half of the 2023 season, when he slugged 14 homers in just 40 games after Kansas City acquired him from Chicago.
How Velázquez Fits Into the Cardinals’ Bigger Picture
The timing of the signing is notable given where the Cardinals are as an organization. St. Louis is in the midst of a reset that could open playing time in the outfield as the season unfolds. The Cardinals expect the Willson Contreras trade to move Alec Burleson to first base, which indirectly frees up outfield innings. There has also been speculation surrounding Lars Nootbaar, though the team may prefer to showcase his health before making any decisions.
Meanwhile, Jordan Walker appears set for another extended look in right field in what could be a pivotal year for the former top prospect. At designated hitter, opportunities are more limited, with Iván Herrera expected to see most of that time when he’s not behind the plate.
That reality means Velázquez won’t be handed anything. He profiles similarly to Walker and prospect Joshua Baez as a right-handed power bat, and the Cardinals are unlikely to prioritize him over younger players they view as long-term pieces. Still, he’s the only non-roster outfielder in camp with meaningful MLB experience, giving him a chance to stand out if injuries or underperformance create an opening.
More likely, Velázquez will begin the year at Triple-A Memphis. But if the power he showed late last season continues, the Cardinals may find themselves glad they took a low-risk look at a bat that still carries intrigue.
Alvin Garcia Born in Puerto Rico, Alvin Garcia is a sports writer for Heavy.com who focuses on MLB. His work has appeared on FanSided, LWOS, NewsBreak, Athlon Sports, and Yardbarker, covering mostly baseball. More about Alvin Garcia
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