Andrew Vasquez - 2016

[Bob Sacamento]

 

Andrew Vasquez was taken in the 32nd round out of Westmont College (NAIA) in the 2015 draft.  For Westmont, Vasquez was a starting pitcher in who went 7-1 in 16G/15GS, with 3CG/2SHO, he went 85 1/3 IP, giving up only 45 hits and striking out 123 but he gave up 54 walks, and had 14 wild pitches and 15 HBP.  Giving him a line of 3.06 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, .152 BAA.

 

Once Andrew signed he went to the GCL where he strickly pitched out of the bullpen. In 12 games, he went 12 1/3 IP, giving up 10 hits, 15 walks, yet striking out 22 and ending with a line of 2.92 ERA, 2.03 WHIP, .222 BAA

 

Without question Andrew's best pitch is his slow big breaking ball, think Rich Hill, that hitters have a very hard to squaring up.  The curveball registers between 69-72 mph while his fastball is only 84-87 mph, currently he's basically a two pitch pitcher but also has a slider (77-81 mph).  His curve is a plus pitch but the fastball is fairly straight with little movement.  When Vasquez gets in a jam or full counts, everyone knows he's going to his curveball yet it doesn't seem to help the hitter as he throws both from the same arm slot.

 

Here is Vasquez pitching 5/6/16:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCj9GcfYD84

 

Video of side session with GCL pitching coach Virgil Vasquez 7/11/15:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pOvB5Z3Hsnk

 

Video of Vasquez 6/27/15

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AAWn6vqL2Mw

[sane17]

 

Andrew Vasquez was taken in the 32nd round out of Westmont College (NAIA) in the 2015 draft.

If you are drafted in the 32nd round, are you still a prospect?

[Bob Sacamento]

 

If you are drafted in the 32nd round, are you still a prospect?

Terry Ryan thinks so and baseball has a long history of finding diamonds in the rough from Mike Piazza being taken as a favor to Lasorda in the 64th round to Mark Buerhle taken in the 38th round to Orlando Hudson taken in the 43rd round.  I'm not saying Andrew is the second coming of Andy Pettite or Mark Buerhle but you never know when a pitcher is going to put it all together or even be a serviceable 25th man.

[Bob Sacamento]

In 4 appearances at E-town,  he went 10 IP, giving up 6 H 1 ER, 4 BB, 15 K, 0.90/.182 BAA.

Hitters just couldn't hit his breaking ball which I've seen him make big leaguers look silly.

 

 Vasquez continues his dominance out of the bullpen in Cedar Rapids earning a promotion on 7/7.  In 9 outings, he's gone 16 2/3 IP, giving up only 8 H, 5 ER, 9 BB, 22 K 2.70 ERA/1.02 WHIP/.140 BAA.

 

I'm telling you his curveball is a legit outpitch, he's got to improve upon his fastball control and velo though the further up the ladder he goes. Still keep an eye on him as this big lefty could rise quickly if everything clicks.

[Shane Wahl]

2016 Summary

 

After being promoted to Cedar Rapids:

 

28.1 IP, 1.59 ERA, 36 strikeouts, 12 walks, (11.4/3.8), 0.882 WHIP

 

Vasquez just turned 23, so it is certainly nice to see him dominate A ball.

 

 

2017 Outlook

 

Vasquez is a big left-handed reliever who should start the year in Fort Myers. This will be his third year playing professional ball, so he is right on track. He has shot up from nowhere to make my prospect list.