Gil Velázquez

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Gilberto Arnulfo Velázquez

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Biographical Information[edit]

Infielder Gil Velázquez was drafted by the New York Mets in the 14th round of the 1998 Amateur Draft from Paramount High School and he played in their minor league system through the 2004 season before moving to the Minnesota Twins organization for the next few years. Velazquez reached AAA for the first time in 2002, but waited until September 25, 2008 to make his major league debut. He played in 3 games down the stretch and went 1 for 8. He was added to the team's postseason roster when Mike Lowell was placed on the disabled list because of a shoulder injury, but was not used in any games. Over the next several years he split time between the majors and AAA, mostly playing in the latter. In the five years of his major league career, Velazquez hit .233/.250/.247 while playing in 33 games. He finished his 18 year playing career with two seasons in the Mexican League.

After his playing days ended, Velazquez became a coach for the AZL Dodgers in 2015. In 2016, he received his first managerial assignment with the Great Lakes Loons of the Midwest League and led the team to their first League championship. From 2017 to 2021, he was minor league infield coordinator for the Arizona Diamondbacks. Velazquez returned to managing in 2022 with the Reno Aces where he led the team to a Pacific Coast League championship. For his efforts he was voted the PCL Manager of the Year and Baseball America's Minor League Manager of the Year. This foray into managing only lasted one year and Velazquez returned to his previous role of minor league infield coordinator in 2023 where he remained in 2024.

Velázquez also has some experience coaching and managing in the Mexican Pacific League.

  • Start-11/17/2016 Manager Aguilas de Mexicali
  • 2020/2021 First base coach Aguilas
  • 11/13/2021 to end of season Manager Aguilas
  • Start-11/22/2022 Manager Aguilas
  • 12/16/2022 to end of season Manager Charros de Jalisco
  • Start - 11/23/2023 Manager Charros

In 2023 Velazquez was the first base coach for Mexico in the World Baseball Classic. In 2024/2025 Velazquez switched to the Dominican League as a bench coach for the Águilas Cibaeñas during the winter season.

Year-By-Year Managerial Record[edit]

Year Team League Record Finish Organization Playoffs
2016 Great Lakes Loons Midwest League 65-75 11th Los Angeles Dodgers League Champs
2022 Reno Aces Pacific Coast League 85-63 1st Arizona Diamondbacks League Champs

Related Sites[edit]