Ray Velasquez

Raymond Anthony Velasquez

• Throws Right
• Height 6' 0", Weight 190 lb.
• High School La Puente High School

• Born October 17, 1966

BR minors page

Biographical Information

Ray Velasquez pitched for seven seasons in the minors but never advanced past A ball.

The Minnesota Twins chose Velasquez in the 8th round of the 1984 amateur draft. He was 3-4 with 7 saves and a 3.86 ERA that summer for the Elizabethton Twins, allowing 38 hits and fanning 48 in 49 innings but walking 36. He spent 1985 and 1986 with the Visalia Oaks. In 1985, he did a fine job, going 7-7 with 10 saves and a 2.39 ERA, though control still remained iffy (50 walks in 90 1/3 innings). He had his club's best ERA and would have led the California League had he qualified. He also was 7th in the league in saves. Despite his success, he returned to Visalia in '86 and stumbled (3-6, 6 Sv, 5.50, 53 BB, 58 K in 55 2/3 IP). He was then dealt with Jose Dominguez and Bryan Hickerson to the San Francisco Giants for Dan Gladden and David Blakley, a great deal for the Twins.

With the 1987 Clinton Giants, the right-hander was 3-5 with 13 saves and a 4.26 ERA. He allowed 49 hits and walked 39 in 60 2/3 innings while fanning 73. He had a 3-3, 4.33 record and four saves for the 1988 San Jose Giants with more of the same (47 BB, 61 K, 40 H in 54 IP). In 1989, he played for the independent Salinas Spurs, going 4-7 with 15 saves and a 4.26 ERA. He struck out 101 in 82 1/3 innings while issuing 66 walks. Despite his relief role, he was second on his team in strikeouts, behind Yuki Kaseda. He led the Cal League with 66 appearances on the hill and finished 6th in saves. He had a save and a 3.72 ERA in 6 games for Salinas in 1990 to end his minor league career.

Overall, he was 23-32 with 56 saves and a 3.81 ERA in 271 minor league games (6 starts), walking 297 and striking out 436 in 401 2/3 innings.

Sources

• 1985 Baseball Guide
• 1986-1987 Baseball America Statistics Reports
• 1988-1991 Baseball Almanacs