Bio and stats for Gil Velazquez.
Rock Cats' Velazquez Still Waiting His Turn
By TOM PULEO
Hartford Courant
Gil Velazquez was the odd man out when Minnesota broke training camp in April. The Twins liked his game in Triple A Rochester last season, but didn't have room for the versatile infielder.
So management asked Velazquez, 27, to accept a job with the Double A Rock Cats, a team he first joined in 2005. That the Twins asked Velazquez about New Britain - rather than direct him to report - was a nod of respect to a player known for his clubhouse leadership.
Velazquez reported, and his three-run triple led New Britain to a 4-3 win over Binghamton Thursday in the first game of a doubleheader. He had a grand slam in an 11-8 win over Portland April 26. April 24, he hit the winning sacrifice fly.
Velazquez was drafted by the Mets in the 14th round in 1998 out of Paramount (Calif.) High School. He signed with the Twins as a minor league free agent after the 2004 season. He hit .231 in 81 games with New Britain in 2005, and played in 17 games for the Red Wings.
Last year he played only six games for the Rock Cats (hitting .375) before heading to Rochester, where he hit .250 in 56 games. He thought he was on his way.
"It hit me by surprise," Velazquez said. "I kind of felt like I had a sure spot in Rochester. But whatever is thrown at you - you have to be ready for it. I adjusted. I'm fine. I'm happy to be here."
"He's a clutch player," said Rock Cats manager Riccardo Ingram. "He maturing as a hitter and understanding the pitches he can hit. Gil is a class guy. He came in here not expecting to be back, but he's been here helping the guys and sharing his experience. He's just a good guy."
Velazquez could still play middle infield in the majors if the Twins get an injury. The Twins originally signed Velazquez on the advice of former Rock Cats manager Stan Cliburn, now the manager in Rochester, who admired Velazquez's performance as a Binghamton Met.
In 11 games, Velazquez is hitting .290 with a .395 on-base percentage - playing mostly first base in a backup role.
"I just feel real confident right now," he said. "Confidence is big. That's all I can ask for."
May 6, 2007
Rock Cats' Velazquez Still Waiting His Turn
By TOM PULEO
Hartford Courant
Gil Velazquez was the odd man out when Minnesota broke training camp in April. The Twins liked his game in Triple A Rochester last season, but didn't have room for the versatile infielder.
So management asked Velazquez, 27, to accept a job with the Double A Rock Cats, a team he first joined in 2005. That the Twins asked Velazquez about New Britain - rather than direct him to report - was a nod of respect to a player known for his clubhouse leadership.
Velazquez reported, and his three-run triple led New Britain to a 4-3 win over Binghamton Thursday in the first game of a doubleheader. He had a grand slam in an 11-8 win over Portland April 26. April 24, he hit the winning sacrifice fly.
Velazquez was drafted by the Mets in the 14th round in 1998 out of Paramount (Calif.) High School. He signed with the Twins as a minor league free agent after the 2004 season. He hit .231 in 81 games with New Britain in 2005, and played in 17 games for the Red Wings.
Last year he played only six games for the Rock Cats (hitting .375) before heading to Rochester, where he hit .250 in 56 games. He thought he was on his way.
"It hit me by surprise," Velazquez said. "I kind of felt like I had a sure spot in Rochester. But whatever is thrown at you - you have to be ready for it. I adjusted. I'm fine. I'm happy to be here."
"He's a clutch player," said Rock Cats manager Riccardo Ingram. "He maturing as a hitter and understanding the pitches he can hit. Gil is a class guy. He came in here not expecting to be back, but he's been here helping the guys and sharing his experience. He's just a good guy."
Velazquez could still play middle infield in the majors if the Twins get an injury. The Twins originally signed Velazquez on the advice of former Rock Cats manager Stan Cliburn, now the manager in Rochester, who admired Velazquez's performance as a Binghamton Met.
In 11 games, Velazquez is hitting .290 with a .395 on-base percentage - playing mostly first base in a backup role.
"I just feel real confident right now," he said. "Confidence is big. That's all I can ask for."
May 6, 2007
