BoSox Injection
Fansided

Red Sox need some roster exit velocity to jettison underachievers

By Rick McNair

BOSTON, MA - SEPTEMBER 5: Dave Dombrowski the President of Baseball Operations for the Boston Red Sox watches batting practice before a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Fenway Park on September 5, 2015 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Red Sox won 9-2. (Photo by Rich Gagnon/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - SEPTEMBER 5: Dave Dombrowski the President of Baseball Operations for the Boston Red Sox watches batting practice before a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Fenway Park on September 5, 2015 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Red Sox won 9-2. (Photo by Rich Gagnon/Getty Images) /
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BOSTON, MA – MAY 12: Hector Velazquez #76 of the Boston Red Sox pitches during the first inning against the Seattle Mariners at Fenway Park on May 12, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Rich Gagnon/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – MAY 12: Hector Velazquez #76 of the Boston Red Sox pitches during the first inning against the Seattle Mariners at Fenway Park on May 12, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Rich Gagnon/Getty Images) /

Hector Velaquez

Is it luck or good scouting with Mexican League import right-hander Hector Velazquez? Velazquez was an important piece in 2017-18 with special emphasis on the championship of 2018. Velazquez would simply do what was required – start, long relief, short relief. But even those first two seasons had attention-getting stat in FIP.

Velazquez is no mystery to hitters with his lukewarm fastball (91.7v), a curve, slider, and split, but he moves the ball around, cuts his corners, and attempts to keep hitters off-balance. This season Velazquez has been hit hard (38.8%) and not kept the ball on the ground (38.4%). Hitters eyes become saucer plates when Velazquez takes the hill.

Velazquez is not a big-ticket item in baseball terminology with barely a minimum contract ($568,500) so if you need a pitcher to either mop up or get mopped up then Velazquez is your guy. At near 1-years-old what you see is what you get and that is not pretty. Just gives Velazquez an early send-off.

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