Greg Veliz

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #359 prospect in 2019 draft
  After starting at Miami in parts of his first two seasons, Veliz transitioned to the bullpen this spring, where he's posted the highest strikeout rate of his career. Through 28 games and 34 innings on the mound, Veliz fanned 62 batters (14.6 per nine) and walked 21 (4.9 per nine) with a 2.35 ERA. Veliz has a quick arm and touches 94-95 at his best, but sits in the low-90s with a slider that could be an above-average offering and a split-change. Veliz has the size--he's listed at 6-foot-2, 200-pounds--to start, but after succeeding in a reliever role last summer in the Cape Cod League and seeing his stuff tick up in the bullpen this spring, he could be better suited for a reliever role in pro ball. Veliz was draft-eligible last spring, but missed most of the second half of the season with an arm injury.
• Ranked #407 prospect in 2018 draft
  A two-way prospect out of high school in 2016 who ranked No. 304 on the 2016 BA500, scouts liked Veliz better as a pitcher who could get his fastball up to 98 mph. Veliz preferred hitting though, and attended Miami. His arm still won out in college, as Veliz managed just a .108/.233/.162 slash line in 15 games as a hitter. After throwing 61 innings during his freshman season in 2016 with a 3.38 ERA, Veliz has managed just 17 innings this spring after missing most of March and April with an arm injury. Veliz returned to the mound on May 12 and threw one inning to close out a win against Virginia Tech, retiring the side on nine pitches, but has been predominantly a starter with the Hurricanes. Veliz pitches in the low 90s with his fastball and has a slider in the low to mid-80s but has poor control. A draft-eligible sophomore, it would be surprising for Veliz to sign this season after missing so much time, but he did post a 13.5 K/9 in his 17 innings, so a team might take a gamble.
• Ranked #304 prospect in 2016 draft
  Veliz has been a two-way player in high school, showing power both on the mound and at the plate. Professional scouts view him as a pitcher, but Veliz is said to want to continue to hit, and he would get the opportunity to do so at Miami, where he is committed. His arm strength, however, seems destined to win out. Veliz can run his fastball up to 98 mph, while mixing in a sharp, if inconsistent breaking ball. He is raw on the mound, but once he focuses exclusively on pitching, his pitchability should improve. A minor lat injury further limited his time on the mound this spring, but is not believed to be a significant setback. Those questions, as well as the fact he will be a draft-eligible sophomore if he goes to Miami, may make him a difficult sign. But for a player with his upside, a team may be willing to pop him high enough to make it happen.

• December, 2018 Scouting Report
  After starting at Miami in parts of his first two seasons, Veliz transitioned to the bullpen this spring, where he's posted the highest strikeout rate of his career. Through 28 games and 34 innings on the mound, Veliz fanned 62 batters (14.6 per nine) and walked 21 (4.9 per nine) with a 2.35 ERA. Veliz has a quick arm and touches 94-95 at his best, but sits in the low-90s with a slider that could be an above-average offering and a split-change. Veliz has the size--he's listed at 6-foot-2, 200-pounds--to start, but after succeeding in a reliever role last summer in the Cape Cod League and seeing his stuff tick up in the bullpen this spring, he could be better suited for a reliever role in pro ball. Veliz was draft-eligible last spring, but missed most of the second half of the season with an arm injury.