Royals will give big-league look to another new player. He’s from the Jose Cuas trade
The Kansas City Royals will get a closer look at recent trade deadline acquisition, Nelson Velázquez. The Royals called up Velázquez from Triple-A Omaha after placing outfielder Drew Waters on the bereavement list.
Velázquez, who was acquired in the Jose Cuas trade, can play multiple outfield spots and will provide additional bench depth. He got off to a tough start in Omaha with a .046 batting average (1 for 22) in six games.
However, the Royals are intrigued with his power potential. Velázquez hit 16 home runs with the Chicago Cubs’ Triple-A affiliate this season. In 74 games, he logged 15 doubles, 44 RBIs and produced an .803 OPS (on-base percentage + slugging).
“I’ve been feeling good and meeting the guys,” Velázquez said. “I’m trying to get into the group, like be part of it. I’m feeling good so far. I like the way they treat me and it’s the beginning of a good thing.”
Velázquez, 24, has some MLB experience. He appeared in 90 career games with the Cubs and posted a .210 batting average. Velázquez was drafted in the fifth round of the 2017 MLB Draft and made his MLB debut last season.
“Everything has been very positive,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “A lot of people from the Cubs reached out about what they think of him as a player and a person. I know we think a lot by acquiring him.”
The Royals will rotate Velázquez alongside fellow outfielders Edward Olivares, Kyle Isbel, MJ Melendez and Dairon Blanco.
“(He has) a lot of power potential,” Quatraro said. “Limited major-league at-bats, so a lot of room to grow. (He’s) someone with a lot of hitting ability and can play multiple positions in the outfield.”
Velázquez said he was familiar with some of his Royals teammates.
He played against Royals second baseman Michael Massey in the minor leagues. He also was teammates with Melendez during the 2023 World Baseball Classic. The duo represented Puerto Rico in the tournament.
Velázquez also mentioned that former MLB star Manny Ramirez was his favorite childhood player. He was excited to be at Fenway Park and live out his dream.
“To be here on the field he played (on) for a long time, it’s really nice,” Velázquez said.
The Royals concluded a four-game series against the Boston Red Sox on Thursday night. Velázquez was not in the lineup for that game.
This story was originally published August 10, 2023 at 5:59 PM.
