Gil Velazquez
Encyclopedia
Gilberto Arnulfo Velazquez (born October 17, 1979, in Paramount, California
) is a Major League Baseball
infielder
. He is 6–2 feet tall and weighs 190 pounds. Velazquez is a graduate of Paramount High School
in Paramount, California
. Velazquez has played in the New York Mets
, Minnesota Twins
, Boston Red Sox
and Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
organizations.
with the Boston Red Sox. He played the majority of the season with the Pawtucket Red Sox
, but was called up late in the season and played in three games for the Red Sox.
After Mike Lowell
was placed on the disabled list
in the middle of the 2008 American League Division Series
, Velazquez filled his roster spot, and became eligible to play in game four of the playoffs after only three major league appearances and one major league hit
.
In October, he was sent back to Pawtucket, but instead of accepting the assignment he opted for free agency and re-signed with the Red Sox in November.
spent time on the disabled list. Gil was optioned back to Pawtucket when Boston called up Michael Bowden
.
On May 12, 2009, Velazquez was recalled to Boston when Kevin Youkilis
was placed on the 15-day disabled list. Velazquez was optioned back to Pawtucket on May 20 when Kevin Youkilis was activated from the disabled list. In October 2009 Velazquez was granted free agency.
on January 14, 2011 to a minor league contract with an invite to spring training.
He was assigned to Angel's AAA Pacific Coast League affiliate, the Salt Lake Bees, on April 6, 2011
SALT LAKE CITY (June 29, 2011) - The Pacific Coast League announced today that Salt Lake Bees infielder Gil Velazquez has been named to the 2011 PCL All-Star Team. Velazquez will suit up for the 24th annual Triple-A All-Star Game, slated for July 13 at Spring Mobile Ballpark in Salt Lake City, when the PCL squad takes on the International League All-Stars. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. MT and the game will be broadcast live on MLB Network.
Velazquez, a 31-year-old native of Los Angeles, has appeared in 68 games for the Bees in 2011, hitting a team-high and career-high .355 with 13 doubles, two triples, four home runs, 38 RBI and eight stolen bases.
The Angels recalled Velazquez on Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Velazquez, who plays second base, third base and shortstop, will be making his Angels debut. The Los Angeles native batted .328 at Salt Lake this season with 25 doubles, five triples, eight homers and 58 RBIs. He had a .466 slugging mark and stole 17 bases.
Paramount, California
Paramount is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. According to the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 54,098 down from 55,266 at the 2000 census...
) is a Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
infielder
Infielder
An infielder is a baseball player stationed at one of four defensive "infield" positions on the baseball field.-Standard arrangement of positions:In a game of baseball, two teams of nine players take turns playing offensive and defensive roles...
. He is 6–2 feet tall and weighs 190 pounds. Velazquez is a graduate of Paramount High School
Paramount High School
Paramount High School is a comprehensive public high school in Paramount, California. The school serves students in grades 9-12 on two campuses, West Campus for 9th grade students and Senior Campus for grades 10-12...
in Paramount, California
Paramount, California
Paramount is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. According to the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 54,098 down from 55,266 at the 2000 census...
. Velazquez has played in the New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
, Minnesota Twins
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
, Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
and Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
organizations.
2008 season
Velazquez was invited to spring trainingSpring training
In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play...
with the Boston Red Sox. He played the majority of the season with the Pawtucket Red Sox
Pawtucket Red Sox
The Pawtucket Red Sox are the minor league baseball Triple-A affiliates of the Boston Red Sox and belong to the International League...
, but was called up late in the season and played in three games for the Red Sox.
After Mike Lowell
Mike Lowell
Michael Averett Lowell is a Puerto Rican former professional baseball third baseman. During a 13-year career, Lowell played for the New York Yankees , Florida Marlins , and the Boston Red Sox...
was placed on the disabled list
Disabled list
In Major League Baseball, the disabled list is a method for teams to remove their injured players from the roster in order to summon healthy players.-General guidelines:...
in the middle of the 2008 American League Division Series
American League Division Series
In Major League Baseball, the American League Division Series determines which two teams from the American League will advance to the American League Championship Series...
, Velazquez filled his roster spot, and became eligible to play in game four of the playoffs after only three major league appearances and one major league hit
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
.
In October, he was sent back to Pawtucket, but instead of accepting the assignment he opted for free agency and re-signed with the Red Sox in November.
2009 season
Velazquez was invited to 2009 spring training with the Boston Red Sox. On April 11, 2009, Velazquez was called up to the Red Sox while Julio LugoJulio Lugo
Julio Cesar Lugo is a Dominican professional baseball infielder but is currently a free agent. He bats and throws right-handed. Lugo is the older brother of baseball pitcher Ruddy Lugo....
spent time on the disabled list. Gil was optioned back to Pawtucket when Boston called up Michael Bowden
Michael Bowden (baseball)
Michael Matthew Bowden is an American professional baseball pitcher with the Boston Red Sox. In , he played for the Lancaster JetHawks and Portland Sea Dogs. He attended high school at Waubonsie Valley High School in Aurora, IL...
.
On May 12, 2009, Velazquez was recalled to Boston when Kevin Youkilis
Kevin Youkilis
Kevin Edmund Youkilis , also known as "Youk" , is an American professional baseball player with the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball...
was placed on the 15-day disabled list. Velazquez was optioned back to Pawtucket on May 20 when Kevin Youkilis was activated from the disabled list. In October 2009 Velazquez was granted free agency.
2010 season
On January 15, 2010, Velazquez was re-signed by the Boston Red Sox and invited to spring training. He spent the 2010 season with Pawtucket once again, where he ended the season with a .249 average.2011 season
Velazquez was signed by the Los Angeles Angels of AnaheimLos Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
on January 14, 2011 to a minor league contract with an invite to spring training.
He was assigned to Angel's AAA Pacific Coast League affiliate, the Salt Lake Bees, on April 6, 2011
SALT LAKE CITY (June 29, 2011) - The Pacific Coast League announced today that Salt Lake Bees infielder Gil Velazquez has been named to the 2011 PCL All-Star Team. Velazquez will suit up for the 24th annual Triple-A All-Star Game, slated for July 13 at Spring Mobile Ballpark in Salt Lake City, when the PCL squad takes on the International League All-Stars. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. MT and the game will be broadcast live on MLB Network.
Velazquez, a 31-year-old native of Los Angeles, has appeared in 68 games for the Bees in 2011, hitting a team-high and career-high .355 with 13 doubles, two triples, four home runs, 38 RBI and eight stolen bases.
The Angels recalled Velazquez on Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Velazquez, who plays second base, third base and shortstop, will be making his Angels debut. The Los Angeles native batted .328 at Salt Lake this season with 25 doubles, five triples, eight homers and 58 RBIs. He had a .466 slugging mark and stole 17 bases.