The Texas Rangers are adding some speed and versatility to their infield depth chart, agreeing to a minor league deal with veteran infielder Andrew Velazquez. The contract includes an invite to Major League Spring Training, giving Velazquez a shot to earn a role with the big-league club heading into 2026.
Velazquez, now 31, spent the 2025 season in the Yankees organization, where he made his mark at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. While his bat didn’t make headlines, his legs certainly did-he swiped 25 bases over 106 games, continuing a trend that’s defined his career in the upper minors. Over the last two seasons, he’s racked up 58 steals at Triple-A, showcasing the kind of speed that can change a game, even in limited opportunities.
Originally drafted by the Diamondbacks in the seventh round back in 2012, Velazquez has taken the long road through professional baseball. After a couple of years in Arizona’s system, he was traded to Tampa Bay in a deal that sent Jeremy Hellickson to the desert. That move kicked off a journeyman path that’s seen him suit up for multiple organizations, including the Rays, Guardians, Orioles, Yankees, and Angels.
His first taste of the majors came in 2018 with Tampa Bay, but it wasn’t until 2022 that he got an extended look. That year, the Angels made him their primary shortstop, giving him 125 games to show what he could do. While the offensive production wasn’t there-he slashed just .196/.236/.304-Velazquez did manage to pop nine home runs, a surprising power spike for a player known more for his glove and speed.
In total, he’s logged 624 plate appearances in the majors with a career 48 wRC+, a metric that paints a clear picture: offense has never been his calling card. But what he lacks with the bat, he tries to make up for with his legs and defensive flexibility.
He’s swiped 40 bases in 275 big-league games and has experience all over the diamond-shortstop, second base, third, and even all three outfield spots. While he’s not typically graded as a plus defender, his ability to cover multiple positions gives him a shot to stick around as a depth piece.
And then there’s the moment that stands out most in his career: his first big-league home run, hit at Yankee Stadium in front of family while wearing the pinstripes of his hometown team. It was a feel-good highlight in a career built on perseverance and hustle.
For the Rangers, this move is about adding insurance. With Marcus Semien now in New York, Josh Smith is expected to take on a larger role in the infield.
But with Corey Seager and Josh Jung both carrying lengthy injury histories, Texas needs reliable options in reserve. Velazquez may not be a game-changer, but he brings experience, speed, and versatility-traits that could prove valuable over the grind of a 162-game season.
He’ll head into Spring Training with a chance to compete for a utility role, and if the past few years have shown anything, it’s that Velazquez knows how to make the most of an opportunity.