Andrew Velazquez is a versatile shortstop from the Bronx who has spent more than a decade grinding through professional baseball. A switch-hitter with a reliable glove and genuine speed on the bases, he made his MLB debut on September 2, 2018, and has since built a career on adaptability — the kind of player a manager reaches for when the lineup needs flexibility against a left-hander or a right-hander.
Quick Facts
- Full name: Andrew Velazquez
- Position: Shortstop
- Bats / Throws: Switch / Right
- Height / Weight: 5’8″ / 170 lb
- Born: July 14, 1994 — Bronx, New York 🇺🇸
- MLB Debut: September 2, 2018
- Winter ball: Cangrejeros de Santurce (LBPRC, 2026-27)
- Jersey number: 6
Origins
Velazquez grew up in the Bronx — one of the most storied ZIP codes in baseball history — and took the patient route to the majors, spending years in the minors sharpening his defense and learning to make the most of his switch-hitting ability. When he finally reached the big leagues, versatility became his calling card.
Professional Career
His most productive MLB season came in 2022 with the Los Angeles Angels, when he slashed .196/.—/— with 9 home runs, 28 RBI, 37 runs scored, and 17 stolen bases — a well-rounded contribution for a player in a utility role. His OPS that year was .540.
In 2023, still with the Angels, his offensive numbers dipped: a .173 average, 2 home runs, 3 RBI, and 13 stolen bases in 12 runs scored, with an OPS of .548. The speed was still there; the bat just didn’t cooperate.
In 2026, Velazquez joined the Kansas City Royals, but the stint was a tough one — a .067 average with no home runs, no RBI, and an OPS of .134 in limited action. He did steal a base, a reminder that his legs remain a weapon even when the hits aren’t falling.
MLB Stats at a Glance
- 2022 — Los Angeles Angels: .196 AVG | 9 HR | 28 RBI | 37 R | 17 SB | .540 OPS
- 2023 — Los Angeles Angels: .173 AVG | 2 HR | 3 RBI | 12 R | 13 SB | .548 OPS
- 2026 — Kansas City Royals: .067 AVG | 0 HR | 0 RBI | 0 R | 1 SB | .134 OPS
Winter Ball
Velazquez has been a consistent presence in the Puerto Rico Baseball League (LBPRC), where he uses the winter months to stay sharp and chase big-league opportunities. In 2025-26 with the Cangrejeros de Santurce, he appeared in 36 games, hitting .217 with 28 hits and 10 RBI (.519 OPS). The previous winter, with the Leones de Ponce, he played 37 games and posted a .180 average with 3 home runs and an OPS of .575.
This winter (2026-27) he’s back with Santurce, hitting .143 through his first two games as he works to rebuild his offensive rhythm ahead of whatever comes next.
Winter Ball Stats
- 2026-27 — Cangrejeros de Santurce: 2 G | .143 AVG | 0 HR | 0 RBI | .286 OPS
- 2025-26 — Cangrejeros de Santurce: 36 G | .217 AVG | 0 HR | 10 RBI | .519 OPS
- 2024-25 — Leones de Ponce: 37 G | .180 AVG | 3 HR | 8 RBI | .575 OPS
- 2019-20 — Criollos de Caguas: 12 G | .129 AVG | 0 HR | 0 RBI | .285 OPS
Worth Knowing
Velazquez is one of a rare breed: a switch-hitter who has sustained a big-league career on defense and speed alone. That ability to bat from either side of the plate gives managers a genuine tactical option — flip the lineup against a lefty, flip it back against a righty. In a game increasingly built around matchups, that’s a real skill.
