Scouting Report

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Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 55 | Run: 40 | Arm: 55 | Field: 45 | Overall: 50

Huntington Beach High School in California has produced its fair share of Draft talent, headlined by former first-rounders Nick Pratto in 2017 and Hank Conger in 2006. Velazquez has the chance to be next in that line of potential bats, and after a modest summer, he had a big up arrow next to his name with strong performances this spring, especially in front of a lot of evaluators at both the National High School Invitational and Boras Classic.

Velazquez is a strong and physical left-handed hitter who has the chance to be an impact bat in the middle of a big league lineup one day. He’s been as consistent a hitter as any prepster in Southern California this year and showed an ability to make hard contact and drive the ball when facing excellent competition. There’s a feel to hit, with a ton of raw power for him to continue to tap into. Even though he tinkers with his setup, using a wider base now than he used to, he still routinely finds the barrel.

While speed isn’t a real part of his game, Velazquez is a better athlete and runs better underway than he gets credit for. The big question is whether he can stick behind the plate, where his strong arm and leadership traits play well, and if he could be given the opportunity to at least start his pro career there. He plays a capable first base if a move is necessary, but it’s clearly the Arizona State recruit’s bat that has him popping up in first-round conversations.

Video scouting report »

Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 55 | Run: 35 | Arm: 55 | Field: 45 | Overall: 55

After a lackluster showing on the high school showcase circuit in the summer of 2022, Velazquez made a name for himself at the National High School Invitational and Boras Classic last spring. He established himself as one of the best bats in the prep class and became the third first-round pick ever out of Huntington Beach (Calif.) HS, following Hank Conger and Nick Pratto. Signed for an under-slot $2.5 million, he had five extra-base hits in his brief six-game pro debut in Rookie ball.

Velazquez has all of the tools and skills to hit for average and power. He's a disciplined hitter who recognizes pitches better than most teenagers, rarely chases them out of the strike zone and makes repeated hard contact to all fields. His quick left-handed swing and strength already create at least plus raw power, and he understands that he can hit plenty of home runs without swinging for the fences.

Though the Guardians drafted Velazquez as a catcher, he didn't play the position full-time in high school and was still raw behind the plate. He's a well-below-average runner and not especially agile, though his solid arm strength and leadership ability bolstered his profile as a backstop. He caught just one game in his debut before Cleveland decided to move him to first base to get the most value out of his bat.

Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 55 | Run: 35 | Arm: 55 | Field: 45 | Overall: 50 

Velazquez didn't stand out on the showcase circuit but elevated his profile by performing well at the National High School Invitational and Boras Classic this spring. The Guardians drafted him 23rd overall, allowing him to join Hank Conger and Nick Pratto as first-round picks out of Huntington Beach (Calif.) HS, and signed him for an under-slot $2.5 million. The pick has parallels to when Cleveland made Bo Naylor a first-round choice in 2018, pouncing on a top prep bat while unsure whether he'd remain behind the plate. 

An advanced hitter for his age, Velazquez recognizes pitches well and routinely barrels them from the left side of the plate. He's extremely disciplined and rarely chases pitches out of the strike zone while showing the ability to use the opposite field. His bat speed and strength create at least plus raw power and he lets it come naturally without swinging for the fences. 

Though Velazquez has well-below-average speed out of the batter's box, he's a little quicker once he gets going. The biggest question is whether he moves well enough behind the plate to stay at catcher, and his solid arm strength and leadership skills help his cause. First base would be his fallback position and his bat should be loud enough for him to profile there. 

Awards

Futures Game Selection

Year	Team
2024

CAR Player of the Week

Week	Team
04/14/2024

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	08/12/2024	C Ralphy Velazquez assigned to Lake County Captains from Lynchburg Hillcats.
	07/14/2024	American League Futures activated C Ralphy Velazquez.
	03/30/2024	C Ralphy Velazquez assigned to Lynchburg Hillcats from ACL Guardians.
	03/30/2024	Lynchburg Hillcats activated C Ralphy Velazquez.
	08/07/2023	C Ralphy Velazquez assigned to ACL Guardians.
	07/22/2023	Cleveland Guardians signed C Ralphy Velazquez.
	06/15/2023	C Ralphy Velazquez assigned to College Workout.
	07/19/2022	C Raffaele Velazquez and assigned to High School Workout.
	07/19/2022	High School Workout activated C Ralphy Velazquez.