Velasquez hopes change is good for him
READING >> The painting showed Vince Velasquez in a throwback jersey, his black glove curled and his arm back to fire a pitch.
The subject of the watercolor scanned it closely and asked a question or two before signing his name.
What interested Velasquez most were the tattoos. The Phillies pitcher thought they were, to the delight of artist Michael Pattison, an accurate representation.
Velasquez was one of the guests at the Phillies Winter Caravan at the Crowne Plaza Reading earlier this week.
The 6-3, 205-pound right-hander handled the typical array of questions about the way he played left field during that memorable 15-inning game in August.
This actually may have been easier because Velasquez knew exactly what was coming.
How does he feel about the new Phillies coaching staff? Will he have a spot in the rotation?
One thread held together all of Velasquez’s answers: change will be good. He’s excited to play for manager Joe Girardi and pitching coach Bryan Price.
“Once I found out Joe was hired, I was ecstatic,” Velasquez said. “I knew it was going to be a big change in the right direction. The fact he has that much experience and that much of a reputation will carry over to the guys who have nothing but talent and want to win.”
Some, mostly skeptical fans, have made up their minds about Velasquez after four seasons and 92 starts with the Phillies. They don’t think he’ll ever be able to maneuver through a lineup multiple times and pitch deep into games.
Whether or not Velasquez can shake that label will come down to the way he viewed at that painting. Attention to detail.
Velasquez and Price have been in contact often over the winter.
“Nothing but positives,” Velasquez said. “Nothing but optimistic stuff. The fact that he believes in my ability and what I can become reinforces that trust.”
What Velasquez can become has always been a tantalizing question. He’s a freakish athlete as shown in those two jaw-dropping innings in left field when he made Gold Glove level plays. He has an electric arm.
The talent shows up in the nearly 10 strikeouts per nine innings but not the 4.67 ERA or 1.36 WHIP spanning 122 career appearances.
There has always seemed to be more within Velasquez that’s ready to be unlocked. Maybe Price can find it.
“He knows I’m that powerful guy, that powerful pitcher,” Velasquez said. “He embedded the fact that I don’t have to be perfect. I have to be efficient with one pitch. I have to get guys out with that one pitch.”
Velasquez, 27, made 10 appearances out of the bullpen last season, his first time in relief since coming over from Houston in a trade in December 2015.
The Phillies have Aaron Nola, Zack Wheeler, Jake Arrieta and Zach Eflin penciled into their rotation. That fifth spot could come down to Velasquez and Nick Pivetta, although a lot can change between now and March.
Girardi wasn’t making any promises or predictions. Why would he at this point?
“He’s going to compete for a spot like a lot of other guys,” Girardi said. “But he has a great arm. He has the ability to get key outs. We’ll see how it plays out. We expect him to be a huge contributor. I just can’t tell you where it’s going to be.”
Velasquez’s preference is no secret. He wants to start. He knows that opportunity will have to be earned.
“Every day is a competition,” he said. “Every day is a grind. You’re still fighting for a spot. Nothing is really guaranteed in my position. I’m pretty much ready for anything that’s in my way. I’m very optimistic and ready for a new year.”