Felipe Vázquez

Felipe Vázquez
Vázquez with the Pirates in 2017
Pittsburgh Pirates – No. 73
Pitcher
Born: (1991-07-05) July 5, 1991
San Felipe, Yaracuy, Venezuela
Bats: Left Throws: Left
MLB debut
April 17, 2015, for the Washington Nationals
MLB statistics
(through September 24, 2018)
Win–loss record 12–12
Earned run average 2.85
Strikeouts 308
Saves 60
Teams
Career highlights and awards

Felipe Javier Vázquez (born Felipe Javier Rivero, July 5, 1991) is a Venezuelan professional baseball pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates of Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played for the Washington Nationals.

Professional career

Minor Leagues (2009–2015)

Vázquez signed with the Tampa Bay Rays as an international free agent on July 30, 2008.[1] He represented the Rays at the 2012 All-Star Futures Game.[2] He was added to the Rays' 40-man roster on November 20, 2012.[3]

On February 13, 2014, Vázquez was traded to the Washington Nationals, along with José Lobatón and Drew Vettleson, in exchange for Nate Karns.[4][5] He suffered through elbow inflammation during the season, and was limited to 14 games started.[6] After the 2014 regular season, the Nationals assigned Vázquez to the Mesa Solar Sox of the Arizona Fall League.[7]

The Nationals transitioned Vázquez into a relief pitcher during spring training in 2015.[6] Vázquez opened the 2015 season with the Syracuse Chiefs of the Class AAA International League.[8]

Washington Nationals (2015–2016)

2015

On April 17, 2015, Vázquez made his major league debut by coming in to pitch the top of the ninth inning in a 7–2 win over the Philadelphia Phillies. He pitched one inning, allowing two hits and one run while striking out two batters.[9] He went on the disabled list due to gastrointestinal bleeding on April 22.[10] On June 1, the Nationals called up Vázquez to the major leagues from Syracuse.[11] At the end of the season, Vázquez was able to reach 100 miles per hour (160 km/h) with his fastball in relief. In 49 games for the Nationals, he pitched in ​48 1⁄3 innings, posting a 2-1 record with a 2.79 ERA. With Jonathan Papelbon suspended and Drew Storen injured, Vázquez converted two save opportunities during the final week of the season. He finished the season with a 2.79 earned run average.[6] The following season he struggled through the first half of the season, posting an ERA of 4.53 in 47 games. He struck out 53 in ​49 2⁄3 innings.

Pittsburgh Pirates (2016–present)

2016

On July 30, 2016, the Nationals traded Vázquez, along with Taylor Hearn, to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Mark Melancon.[12] For the Pirates, he finished with a 3.29 ERA in 28 games.

2017

Vázquez began the 2017 season as a setup man.[13][14] After a 0.58 ERA in 31 games, on June 9 he was named co-closer for the Pirates along with Juan Nicasio, replacing Tony Watson.[15][16] Vázquez later assumed primary closing duties, with Nicasio becoming the eighth-inning setup man.[17] Vázquez earned 21 saves in 23 opportunities in 2017.[18]

2018: All-Star season

In 2018, Vázquez was selected to play in the 2018 All-Star Game, his first All-Star appearance.

Pitching style

Vázquez throws a fastball which can reach over 100 miles per hour (160 km/h). Vázquez's fastball averaged 96.4 miles per hour (155.1 km/h) in 2016 and around 98 miles per hour (158 km/h) in 2017.[13][14][19] As a prospect with the Rays, Vázquez initially threw only 86 miles per hour (138 km/h).[13] He also throws an effective changeup at 89–90 miles per hour (143–145 km/h) with two-seam movement, which he picked up in the Rays minor league system. Vázquez began throwing it frequently in 2015, and uses it around 25 percent of the time.[13][14][19] The pitch has been referred to as a "Bugs Bunny changeup" by Pirates pitching coach Ray Searage.[20] Vázquez also throws a slider and a curveball.[14][19]

Personal life

In 2018, he changed his last name from Rivero to Vázquez to match the surname of his sister who's been a big part of his career.[21]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Felipe Rivero Stats, Bio, Photos, Highlights".
  2. ↑ "Promising Rays duo cued for Futures Game". Mlb.mlb.com. June 20, 2012. Retrieved November 8, 2013.
  3. ↑ "Rays add four players to 40-man roster". Tampabay.rays.mlb.com. November 20, 2012. Retrieved November 8, 2013.
  4. ↑ "Nationals acquire catcher Jose Lobaton, LHP Felipe Rivero and OF Drew Vettleson from Tampa Bay". Curly W Live. Retrieved April 10, 2015.
  5. ↑ Wagner, James (February 27, 2014). "Felipe Rivero, acquired in Jose Lobaton-Nate Karns trade, adjusting to the Nationals". Washington Post. Retrieved April 10, 2015.
  6. 1 2 3 Wagner, James (March 6, 2016). "Felipe Rivero, thrust into a reliever's role, now sees himself as a future closer". Washington Post. Retrieved March 9, 2016.
  7. ↑ "Byron Kerr: Felipe Rivero with bounceback win for Mesa". MASNsports. Retrieved April 10, 2015.
  8. ↑ "2015 Syracuse Chiefs: pitching is a plus, offense will be a work in progress". syracuse.com. Retrieved April 10, 2015.
  9. ↑ "Felipe Rivero makes major league debut". Washington Post. Retrieved April 23, 2015.
  10. ↑ "Nationals call up Matt Grace, put Felipe Rivero on the DL, trade Xavier Cedeño". Washington Post. Retrieved April 23, 2015.
  11. ↑ Wagner, James (June 1, 2015). "Felipe Rivero recalled, Matt Grace optioned to Syracuse". Washington Post. Retrieved March 9, 2016.
  12. ↑ "Nationals land closer Melancon from Pirates". MLB.com. July 30, 2016. Retrieved July 30, 2016.
  13. 1 2 3 4 Berry, Adam (March 7, 2017). "Rivero has 'nasty' arsenal of pitches: Reliever one of three lefty hurlers in Majors to hit 100 mph in 2016". MLB.com. Bradenton, Florida. Retrieved October 4, 2017.
  14. 1 2 3 4 Sheinin, Dave (June 7, 2017). "Former Nats reliever Felipe Rivero can throw 101 mph, and that's not even his best pitch". The Washington Post. Baltimore. Retrieved October 4, 2017.
  15. ↑ "Tony Watson out as closer as Pirates turn to Felipe Rivero and Juan Nicasio". ESPN.com. June 9, 2017. Retrieved October 4, 2017.
  16. ↑ RotoWire (June 9, 2017). "Pirates' Felipe Rivero: Will share closer duties". CBS Sports. Retrieved October 4, 2017.
  17. ↑ Berry, Adam (August 31, 2017). "Bucs part ways with Nicasio; Phils make claim: Pittsburgh opts to place reliever on outright waivers instead of make trade". MLB.com. Pittsburgh. Retrieved October 4, 2017.
  18. ↑ RotoWire (October 1, 2017). "Pirates' Felipe Rivero: Picks up 21st save". CBS Sports. Retrieved October 4, 2017.
  19. 1 2 3 Nesbitt, Stephen J. (May 8, 2017). "Felipe Rivero can thank the changeup for his strong start". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved October 4, 2017.
  20. ↑ Biertempfel, Rob (March 2, 2017). "Change is good for Pirates reliever Rivero". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Retrieved October 4, 2017.
  21. ↑ "Felipe Rivero has changed his name to Felipe Vázquez".


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