Helder Velazquez Stats & Scouting Report

Full name Helder Velazquez
Born 10/14/1988 in Bayamon, Puerto Rico
Profile Ht.: 6'3" / Wt.: 165 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School Puerto Rico Baseball Academy
Drafted in the 5th round (138th overall) by the Colorado Rockies in 2006 (signed for $209,000).

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Puerto Rico's best prospect is the thin, lanky Helder Velazquez, who has true actions at shortstop and fast-twitch muscles. His glove is well ahead of his bat at this stage of his career, though he projects to hit for average and develop into an above-average defensive infielder. His hands are soft and he has a plus arm. Velazquez has little strength, and struggles to drive balls with authority. He has some looseness in his swing and tries to use the entire field.

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One of the younger players in the 2006 draft, Velazquez played his first two seasons in pro ball before turning 19 and already has displayed big league defensive ability. He has exceptional arm strength that allows him to make plays from a variety of angles. He has soft hands and shows agility that belies his gangly body. Though he has a big frame and has seen time at second and third base, he should be able to stay at shortstop. Velazquez' challenge is going to be his bat. He has a long swing and lacks the strength to survive that approach. He should get stronger as he fills out and has the hands to hit for some power, but his utter lack of plate discipline is a problem. He has walked just eight times in 113 pro games, and more advanced pitchers will exploit his impatience. Velazquez' speed rates as average to a tick above, and he has the instincts to steal a few bases. He likely will advance to low Class A in 2008, but at his age a return to short-season Tri-City wouldn't be a setback.

The Rockies don't have an affiliate in a complex league, so they sent Velazquez to the Rookie-advanced Pioneer League as a 17-year-old after drafting him in the fifth round in 2006. One of the youngest players in the NWL this season, he was lauded by scouts and managers for his actions in the field and potential at the plate. "He's very good," Magnante said. "You tend to overlook this guy, but he's 18 and I thought he had way more upside than anyone else there at Tri-City." Velazquez has a long swing and lacks strength, but he shows barrel awareness and pitch recognition. He repeats his swing and takes his hands to the ball, early signs he could develop average power down the line as he continues to fill out his wiry, 6-foot-3 frame. He's a free swinger who doesn't work counts well. A smooth fielder, Velazquez makes plays look easy with his plus actions and range. Though he saw some time at second base with the Dust Devils, he's a legitimate shortstop. He's not a burner, but he's a solid-average runner once he gets going.