Philadelphia Phillies: Vince Velasquez is an Enigma

There is no pitcher on the Philadelphia Phillies that is more interesting than number 28, Vince Velasquez.

He has to be one of the few pitchers that can have ten strikeouts in 5 innings while allowing three runs. In doing so he is well over his pitch count by the time the sixth inning rolls around. Simply astonishing, to be honest.

The young pitcher has electric stuff but doesn’t have the consistency required to be an effective starter, yet. Keyword, yet. His ceiling is so high if he ever gains control of his pitches. His fastball is borderline untouchable when placed properly. When it hangs over the plate, however, it usually lands in the next zip code.

This is the beautiful struggle that is Vince Velasquez. The Philadelphia Phillies front office knew what they were getting into when they traded Ken Giles for him a few years ago. They knew he had a rocket for a right arm but was incredibly raw. More often than not people refer to Velasquez as “more of a thrower than a pitcher” or “He’s better suited as a closer or bullpen guy”. I, on the other hand, insist he will make it as a starter.

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I know what you’re thinking, that I’m just a wishful thinker, I’m not a realist, what has Velasquez done to prove he should remain in the starting five, etc. Well, I understand your concerns, but there are some things that need to be noted. For example, Vince Velasquez has only started 34 games since 2015. In those 34 starts, Vinny V has pitched 201.2 innings and struck out 229 batters. While he does have a knack for struggling to throw six innings, what he has done in limited starts is pretty impressive. He just needs to learn control. I trust that Bob McClure and the rest of the Philadelphia Phillies pitching staff will be able to set him straight. Getting consecutive starts for the second season in a row will do wonders for his form, mark my words.

In those 34 starts, Vinny V has pitched 201.2 innings and struck out 229 batters. While he does have a knack for struggling to throw six innings, what he has done in limited starts is pretty impressive. He just needs to learn control. I trust that Bob McClure and the rest of the Philadelphia Phillies pitching staff will be able to set him straight. Getting consecutive starts for the second season in a row will do wonders for his form, mark my words.

Don’t believe me? First of all his fastball is averaging 93.64 miles per hour, over one mile per hour faster than the league average for a starting pitcher. Second, check out his last game against the Mets. He pitched a gem going into the sixth inning where unfortunately the game fell out from under him. He allowed a base runner with no outs, but the infield bailed him out as Tommy Joseph fielded a grounder right at him, stepped on first, and gunned the man out at second for the double play. Unfortunately again, he allowed a hit, a walk, and a homerun in his next three batters.

In the five innings leading up to that, however, Velasquez was lights out. He didn’t have the strikeout numbers he has become known for, but he thrived on ground balls. He showed signs of maturation from his second start to his third start, I expect more improvement from the 24-year-old pitcher as the season progresses.

Vince Velasquez has been an enigma during his time on the Philadelphia Phillies. Fans will never forget the complete game shutout where he struck out 16 and allowed three hits against the San Diego Padres last April. Fans will also try to forget that Velasquez’ kryptonite thus far has been making it through the sixth inning into the seventh. His powerful arm will continue to be entertaining for fans, the only question is whether he will remain a starter or move to the bullpen.

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The only thing to keep in mind is that he’s still very green. He only has 34 starts under his belt. If he keeps struggling a year or so from now then I will be the first to admit I was wrong and he should make the move to the bullpen. Until then, I firmly believe that he deserves to be a starting pitcher. His stuff is too good to only be limited to an inning or two sporadically.

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