Nelson Velazquez has made an impression his first spring with St. Louis
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Video Transcript
For a couple, for a couple roles on the team going into opening day, obviously the team isn’t expected to compete for a playoff spot, but, there are s- there is still an emphasis on this team to have some kind of success, at the very least on a micro level in twenty twenty-six so the team can start building the foundation or, or laying the early foundation for what, the squad will look like in the future as it looks to build back into being a contender.
For a couple, for a couple roles on the team going into opening day, obviously the team isn’t expected to compete for a playoff spot, but, there are s- there is still an emphasis on this team to have some kind of success, at the very least on a micro level in twenty twenty-six so the team can start building the foundation or, or laying the early foundation for what, the squad will look like in the future as it looks to build back into being a contender.
And, there are a lot of players who are attempting to make the Major League roster, obviously, in spring, and one of them is making a very good case to be in the lineup for the Cardinals come opening day, and that is outfielder Nelson Velzquez.
And, there are a lot of players who are attempting to make the Major League roster, obviously, in spring, and one of them is making a very good case to be in the lineup for the Cardinals come opening day, and that is outfielder Nelson Velzquez.
Now, Velzquez, twenty-seven-year-old, right-handed outfielder, a former international signing for the Cubs in, twenty seventeen.
Now, Velzquez, twenty-seven-year-old, right-handed outfielder, a former international signing for the Cubs in, twenty seventeen.
currently, he’s slashing three thirty-three, four thirty-eight, seven oh four with a one point one four two OPS in ten Grapefruit League games.
currently, he’s slashing three thirty-three, four thirty-eight, seven oh four with a one point one four two OPS in ten Grapefruit League games.
He’s hit a double and three home runs with five RP- RBIs and has struck out just twice in thirty-two plate appearances.
He’s hit a double and three home runs with five RP- RBIs and has struck out just twice in thirty-two plate appearances.
his last home run was a two-run shot in the Cardinals’, latest three-one win against the New York Mets on Thursday.
his last home run was a two-run shot in the Cardinals’, latest three-one win against the New York Mets on Thursday.
It was his second straight game with a homer.
It was his second straight game with a homer.
now Velzquez, him being a right-handed outfielder is interesting.
now Velzquez, him being a right-handed outfielder is interesting.
President of Baseball Operations, Haim Bloom, has said that that is a specific, player profile that the team is searching for, a right-handed outfielder.
President of Baseball Operations, Haim Bloom, has said that that is a specific, player profile that the team is searching for, a right-handed outfielder.
currently, projected left fielder, Lars Nootbaar, is expected to miss, miss a portion of the season due to, off-season double heel surgery.
currently, projected left fielder, Lars Nootbaar, is expected to miss, miss a portion of the season due to, off-season double heel surgery.
And, Nathan Church is, projected to, fill in for Nootbaar, but Church is a left-handed hitter.
And, Nathan Church is, projected to, fill in for Nootbaar, but Church is a left-handed hitter.
Jordan Walker and Victor Scott II are both the, penciled in right and center fielder respectively.
Jordan Walker and Victor Scott II are both the, penciled in right and center fielder respectively.
so a right-handed hitter for either a platoon option or backup option is something that the Cardinals need.
so a right-handed hitter for either a platoon option or backup option is something that the Cardinals need.
They’ve attempted to find that in-house by transitioning infielders Jos Fermn and Thomas Segui’s, to the outfield, this spring.
They’ve attempted to find that in-house by transitioning infielders Jos Fermn and Thomas Segui’s, to the outfield, this spring.
Fermn had some experience in the outfield, even though the vast majority of his experience is an infielder, whereas Segui’s hasn’t played in the, outfield since, Little League, according to him, and he’s also currently away from the team competing for Italy in the World Baseball Classic.
Fermn had some experience in the outfield, even though the vast majority of his experience is an infielder, whereas Segui’s hasn’t played in the, outfield since, Little League, according to him, and he’s also currently away from the team competing for Italy in the World Baseball Classic.
now, another theme that could make Velzquez, despite being on a minor league contract, a very realistic chance to be that right-handed hitting outfielder for the Cardinals, is the fact that they don’t have any significant finance, financial investment in any of the aforementioned outfielders.
now, another theme that could make Velzquez, despite being on a minor league contract, a very realistic chance to be that right-handed hitting outfielder for the Cardinals, is the fact that they don’t have any significant finance, financial investment in any of the aforementioned outfielders.
Segui’s, Fermn are both under pre-arbitration.
Segui’s, Fermn are both under pre-arbitration.
Same with Church, but they’re more confident in Church as a starter than the other three as star– as more than platoon or bench guys.
Same with Church, but they’re more confident in Church as a starter than the other three as star– as more than platoon or bench guys.
so if the Cardinals did make the op- the, did make the choice to select, Velzquez’s contract and have him start over Segui’s or Fermn, either on the bench or again in the outfielder as a, in the outfield as a platoon player, they wouldn’t be losing a whole lot, financially with that.
so if the Cardinals did make the op- the, did make the choice to select, Velzquez’s contract and have him start over Segui’s or Fermn, either on the bench or again in the outfielder as a, in the outfield as a platoon player, they wouldn’t be losing a whole lot, financially with that.
And also because Segui’s and Fermn also play the infielder, they could still find a way to have one of those two and Velzquez on the team, so two birds with one stone.
And also because Segui’s and Fermn also play the infielder, they could still find a way to have one of those two and Velzquez on the team, so two birds with one stone.
regardless of what they decide to do, it’ll be interesting to follow Velzquez.
regardless of what they decide to do, it’ll be interesting to follow Velzquez.
He definitely earned, if not an opening day spot on the Major League roster, will definitely get some looks on the team at some point this upcoming year if what he’s shown in spring will continue through the season, whether that starts in the minor leagues or with the team in the majors.
He definitely earned, if not an opening day spot on the Major League roster, will definitely get some looks on the team at some point this upcoming year if what he’s shown in spring will continue through the season, whether that starts in the minor leagues or with the team in the majors.
For more St. Louis Cardinals news and updates, make sure to follow me on social media at taran_kovach, and also join our Cardinals Roundtable page by scanning the QR code there at the top left of the screen.
For more St. Louis Cardinals news and updates, make sure to follow me on social media at taran_kovach, and also join our Cardinals Roundtable page by scanning the QR code there at the top left of the screen.