Education
Velazquez attended Fordham Preparatory School in The Bronx, New York City, where he played for the school"s baseball team
Velazquez attended Fordham Preparatory School in The Bronx, New York City, where he played for the school"s baseball team
He played as a center fielder until his senior year, when he became the team"s starting shortstop. He received an athletic scholarship to attend Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Technical) to play college baseball for the Virginia Technical Hokies. The Arizona Diamondbacks selected him in the seventh round, with the 243rd overall selection, of the 2012 Major League Baseball Draft.
He signed with the Diamondbacks, receiving a $200,000 signing bonus, bypassing his commitment to Virginia Technology
That year, he made his professional debut with the Rookie-level Arizona League Diamondbacks of the Arizona League and the Missoula Osprey of the Pioneer League. In 2013, Velazquez was assigned to the South Bend Silver Hawks of the Class A Midwest League.
Foreign the season, he had a.260 batting average, but had almost three times as many strikeouts as walks. Returning to South Bend in 2014, Velazquez set a Minor League Baseball record with his 72nd consecutive game reaching base, breaking the record of 71 set by Kevin Millar in 1997 and tied by Kevin Youkilis in 2003.
His streak, which lasted from April 22 to July 16, ended at 74 consecutive games.
After the season, Velazquez was named the Midwest League"s Prospect of the Year. On November 14, 2014, Velazquez along with Justin Williams were traded from the Diamondbacks to the Tampa Bay Rays for Jeremy Hellickson. He began the 2015 season with the Charlotte Stone Crabs of the Class A-Advanced Florida State League, but underwent surgery in May to repair a broken hamate bone.
He plays in Minor League Baseball as a member of the Tampa Bay Rays.