Right-hander Giussepe Velasquez threw six inning of one-run ball for Zulia in his first start of the Venezuelan Winter League season on Wednesday. The run was the first Velasquez has allowed in 10 innings this season giving him a 0.90 ERA and a 0.40 WHIP with two hits and two walks allowed to go with 12 strikeouts. Opponents are batting just .065 against him. Zulia defeated Aragua 5-4 on Wednesday.
A native of Porlamar, Venezuela, Velasquez signed with the Philadelphia Phillies as an international free agent at age 16. The 6-foot-1, 170-pound right-hander made an immediate impression in his 2021 pro debut, posting a 2.75 ERA over 14 starts in the Dominican Summer League with 56 strikeouts in 52.1 innings. After a rough 2022 cameo in the Florida Complex League, he broke out in 2023, striking out 28 batters in 20 complex league innings with a 1.35 ERA before earning five starts at Single-A Clearwater. Then came a long layoff because of Tommy John surgery that kept Velasquez off the mound in 2024. He returned through a rehab assignment with the FCL Phillies in 2025, where he allowed just one earned run in 16.2 innings before a tougher stretch back at Clearwater (6.42 ERA).
Velasquez sharpened up last winter with the Adelaide Giants, who won their third Australian Baseball League title in four years, and moved mostly to the bullpen in 2026. Across three levels he worked 70 innings in 27 games (three starts), going 3-3 with a 4.89 ERA and 67 strikeouts. He was sharp in a short stint at Clearwater (2.16 ERA, 21 strikeouts in 16.2 innings) but found High-A Jersey Shore harder going, posting a 5.36 ERA and allowing 11 home runs in 50.1 innings. He also made a single spot start at Double-A Reading.
His fastball sat around 93 mph at the Low-A level, and walks and the long ball remain the main obstacles. Scouts have noted that he lacks a big fastball or huge strikeout numbers, but shows a consistent feel for pitching and a willingness to mix his pitches, even after the long injury layoff.
At 23, he projects as an organizational reliever with a chance to carve out a middle relief role if his command takes a step forward in 2027.
Please scroll down to comment!
We appreciate your feedback!
Disclaimer: Some of the products featured or linked on this website may generate income for Philly Baseball News through affiliate commissions, sponsorships, or direct sales. We only promote items we believe in, but please assume that PBN may earn a cut from qualifying purchases that you make using a link on this site.
© 2026 LV Sports Media. All rights reserved.
