The New York Yankees are bringing back a familiar face.
According to YES Network’s Jack Curry, the Yankees have signed infielder Andrew Velazquez to a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training. Velazquez, a Bronx native fondly nicknamed “Squid,” played 28 games for the team in 2021, quickly becoming a fan favorite.
Now 30 years old, Velazquez is a defensive specialist with 275 career MLB games under his belt. His most significant playing time came in 2022 with the Los Angeles Angels, where he stepped in as the everyday shortstop after David Fletcher fell out of favor. In 349 plate appearances that season, Velazquez struggled offensively but excelled defensively, recording +11 Defensive Runs Saved, +3 Outs Above Average, and a +3.0 UZR/150 over 906 innings at shortstop.
Over six MLB seasons, Velazquez has a .189/.244/.293 career batting line, though he’s been more productive in the minors, boasting a .731 OPS across 400 Triple-A games.
During his first stint with the Yankees in 2021, Velazquez lived out his childhood dream of playing for the team he grew up rooting for and idolizing Derek Jeter. He delivered a standout performance in an August series against the Boston Red Sox, contributing four RBIs, a run, and a stolen base in just seven plate appearances. He also made a spectacular defensive play to seal the series finale, earning the “game belt” from his teammates as the Yankees swept the Red Sox and moved into first place in the Wild Card standings.
The Yankees’ 2021 postseason run ended with a Wild Card Game loss to Boston at Fenway Park, where Velazquez started at shortstop and batted ninth before being replaced after one plate appearance.
In 2024, Velazquez played for the Atlanta Braves’ Triple-A affiliate, hitting 16 home runs with a 78 wRC+ over 118 games. Beyond shortstop, he’s versatile enough to play second base, third base, and all three outfield positions.
Currently, the Yankees’ infield features starters Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Anthony Volpe, with DJ LeMahieu, Oswaldo Cabrera, Oswald Peraza, and Jorbit Vivas providing additional depth. However, with Gleyber Torres departing in free agency, Velazquez offers valuable insurance, especially since Peraza is out of minor-league options and must make the 26-man roster by the end of spring training or face the risk of being designated for assignment.
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