Velazco a Real Dirtbag
by Bob Keisser, Long Beach Press-Telegram
May 18, 2005 For every Troy Tulowitzki in Dirtbag baseball, there is at least one Steve Velazco.
Star power has become a theme around the Long Beach State baseball program, what with 2004 American League Rookie of the Year Bobby Crosby, 2004 Player of the Year Jered Weaver, and two first-round talents on the 2005 team in pitcher Cesar Ramos and shortstop Tulowitzki.
But there's still plenty of room for guys who epitomize the whole Dirtbag concept, with Velazco a perfect example.
He arrived in 2002 as a walk-on middle infielder from La Jolla High, where he helped his team to a CIF title in 2000. He stood a modest 5-9 and weighed 160, or at least the generous assessment on the roster in the media guide said.
It's safe to say there were no expectations, so all that he's provided for the team in grit, determination and solid skills has been its own unique dynamic.
"When I was first being recruited, I thought this would be a good place for me because of the program's history and reputation," Velazco said before a practice for this weekend's Big West Conference showdown with rival Cal State Fullerton. "It's what attracted me.
"When I got here, it was perfect. The program itself and the style of play, it was me. Even in high school, I played this way. I knew I had come here for a reason. I just wanted to earn a chance to play."
He did so with typical Dirtbag enthusiasm. He had never played outfield before, but that's where the team felt he could help, and where he thought he could find opportunity, so he made the transition in his freshman season.
"Jeremy Reed (now starting for the Mariners) helped me a lot in handling the transition to college baseball and learning how to play the outfield," Velazco said. "I sort of followed his footsteps to learn."
Velazco hit .292 as a freshman in 2002 in 22 games. In 2003, he had a flawless season in the field while splitting his starts between center and right field, and also hit .286 with a .414 on-base percentage.
Last season, he played in 50 games while sharing time with a talented group of outfielders Sean Boatright, John Bowker, Josh Buhagiar and had a career-high 17 RBI. His biggest hit of the season was a game-winning RBI single to beat St. John's in the first game of the NCAA regionals at Stanford.
He's had a tremendous season defensively in 2005, turning in several amazing catches, including a game-ending diving catch in Game 1 of the Cal Poly SLO series, a drive down the right-field line that could have changed the outcome.
He's hitting .252 on the season, but .333 over his last eight games (9 for 27). At various times this season, he's hit in the No. 2 spot in the lineup, but head coach Mike Weathers also uses him at No. 9, which in the DH era is now considered a second leadoff position.
His raw numbers can't possibly reflect the little things he's done over four seasons, like bunting skills that have made him among the team leaders in sacrifices each season, and his ability to take one for the team. He'll leave school on the all-time top-five list for being hit by a pitch.
"I take pride in my ability," Velazco said. "I keep it simple. Be tough, especially mentally tough. Always accept the tough challenge, because we play against the best.
"I look at guys from past teams who didn't come to Long Beach with a lot of expectations and then went out and did great things and had success at the next level, like Mike Gallo."
Velazco, a cousin of NHL star Scott Gomez, won't be a high draft choice next month, but various scouts say he will be drafted because of his work ethic and the Dirtbags' reputation for turning out players prepared for the next level.
"I figure it will be late in the draft," he said. "It doesn't matter when. I just want a chance. I've worked hard all four years to become the player I am. I think I've earned it."
|
