Nelson Velázquez
LF/RF/DH KC
Wed 4/17/24 5:18 PM

Velazquez is out of the lineup for Game 2 of Wednesday's doubleheader against the White Sox.
EDGE Analysis
Velazquez went 1-for-4 with a double and a run in Game 1, but he'll take a seat in the nightcap after making 12 straight starts. Salvador Perez will serve as the designated hitter while Freddy Fermin starts behind the plate.

Nelson Velázquez
LF/RF/DH KC
Sun 4/14/24 1:21 PM

Velazquez went 2-for-5 with one RBI, a stolen base and one run scored in Saturday's 11-7 win over the Mets.
EDGE Analysis
Velazquez was one of six Royals to log multiple hits Saturday. He's known for his power more than his speed -- this was his first steal and attempt since 2022. He's earned a significant role early in 2024, slashing .333/.385/.521 with two home runs, seven RBI, eight runs scored and three doubles over 13 contests as the Royals' primary designated hitter.

Nelson Velázquez
LF/RF/DH KC
Fri 4/5/24 2:21 AM

Velazquez went 2-for-3 with a solo home run, an additional RBI, a walk and two runs scored in Thursday's 10-1 win over the White Sox.
EDGE Analysis
Velazquez provided the Royals' early offense with an RBI single in the second inning and a solo shot in the fourth. The 25-year-old has some interesting power -- he's already swatted two homers through five games this season after hitting 17 in 53 contests a year ago. Velazquez is batting .294 with a 2:7 BB:K, three RBI and four runs scored over 19 plate appearances. The Royals are making sure he's not a full-time player against right-handed pitchers early on, though he could force his way to that kind of role if he continues to hit well.

Nelson Velázquez
LF/RF/DH KC
Wed 4/3/24 11:44 AM

Velazquez is absent from the lineup for Wednesday's contest in Baltimore.
EDGE Analysis
With ace right-hander Corbin Burnes toeing the slab for the Orioles, it's not a bad time for the Royals to give the right-handed-hitting Velazquez a day off. Vinnie Pasquantino will serve as the designated hitter Wednesday, while Salvador Perez will cover first base and Freddy Fermin will handle catching duties.

Nelson Velázquez
LF/RF/DH KC
Sun 3/31/24 7:37 PM

Velazquez went 2-for-3 with a solo homer, a walk and two runs scored in Sunday's 11-0 win over the Twins.
EDGE Analysis
Velazquez singled in the first inning and walked and scored in the second frame before launching a solo homer off of reliever Cole Sands in the bottom of the sixth. The outfielder was making only his second start of the season, but if he can keep producing like he did Sunday, he'll see an uptick in playing time as the season goes on.

Nelson Velázquez
LF/RF/DH KC
Sat 3/30/24 11:59 AM

Velazquez is not in the lineup for Saturday's game against Minnesota.
EDGE Analysis
Velazquez got the start at DH for the season opener Thursday, finishing 0-for-3 with one strikeout. Nick Loftin will be the designated hitter for the Royals on Saturday and bat eighth against Twins right-hander Joe Ryan.

Nelson Velázquez
LF/RF/DH KC
Sat 3/2/24 2:27 PM

Velazquez is penciled in as the Royals' designated hitter, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
Velazquez mashed when he came to the Royals from the Cubs last season, but it remains to be seen if he can do it over a full season. The power is real, but his 28.5 percent strikeout rate is a concern. With Salvador Perez also getting up there in age -- he'll be 34 for much of the season -- the longtime catcher could see more games as the DH, which likely would leave Velazquez on the bench against some right-handers.

Nelson Velázquez
LF/RF/DH KC
Sun 10/1/23 11:38 AM

Velazquez is not in Sunday's lineup against the Yankees.
EDGE Analysis
Velazquez hit .244 with nine home runs, 17 runs and 20 RBI over 23 games in a huge month of September. It would seem that he played well enough down the stretch to enter 2024 as a regular in the middle of the Royals' lineup.

Nelson Velázquez
LF/RF/DH KC
Thu 9/28/23 2:56 PM

Velazquez is out of the lineup for Thursday's game versus the Tigers.
EDGE Analysis
It's a routine day off for Velazquez, who had started each of the previous 11 contests for the Royals. Drew Waters will occupy right field Thursday while Edward Olivares serves as the designated hitter.

Nelson Velázquez
LF/RF/DH KC
Sun 9/24/23 8:25 PM

Velazquez went 2-for-3 with two solo homers in Sunday's 6-5 win over the Astros.
EDGE Analysis
Velazquez tallied the first Royals run of the game with his 380-foot homer off Hunter Brown in the second inning. He wasn't done for the day, as he returned and cranked a 396-foot solo shot the next inning, again off Brown. Velazquez has been on a torrid power tear lately, hitting five home runs over the past nine games. The former Cub is slashing .239/.313/.632 with 14 homers, 25 runs and 27 RBI over 36 games since joining the Royals.