Luis Velasquez Named South Atlantic League Pitcher of the Week

Wappingers Falls, N.Y. (July 31, 2023) – For the second straight week and the fifth time this season a Hudson Valley Renegades pitcher has been named South Atlantic League Pitcher of the Week. RHP Luis Velasquez was named SAL Pitcher of the Week for the week of July 24-30, MLB announced today.

Velasquez had a dominant week out of the bullpen for the Renegades, tossing 5.2 perfect innings and striking out eight batters. He picked up the win in both of the Renegades’ shutout wins against the Hickory Crawdads last week while striking out an impressive 47.1% of batters faced on the week.

"Luis has taken the challenge of his promotion and run with it," said Renegades pitching coach Preston Claiborne**.** "He has such an electric fastball and devastating slider combo out of a little guy. He's very unassuming until you hear the fastball pop the mitt. He's probably the most polite 98 mph arm I've ever come across. We are all so excited to continue to watch him develop as a power arm and move up the ladder."

Since June 28, Velasquez has posted a 2-0 record with a 0.68 ERA (1 ER/13.1 IP) and has allowed six hits while striking out 17. His 3.2 inning performance on July 26 was his longest outing since tossing 4.0 innings on Aug. 20, 2019 against the DSL Angels.

Signed as a non-drafted free agent by the Yankees on April 26, 2019, Velasquez began the season with the Single-A Tampa Tarpons, and was promoted to the Renegades on June 6. In recognition of his award, the Renegades will make a $500 donation in Velasquez’s name to the Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital at Westchester Medical Center Health Network before a game on the Renegades’ next homestand.

In picking up the SAL Pitcher of the Week Award, he becomes the sixth Renegades weekly award this season. He joins RHP Juan Carela (April 17-23), RHP Drew Thorpe (May 29-June 4; July 17-23), and RHP Tyrone Yulie, who were named SAL Pitcher of the Week, and OF Aaron Palensky who was named SAL Player of the Week for the week of May 22-28.

Hudson Valley is on the road this week taking on the Wilmington Blue Rocks before returning home to Heritage Financial Park on Tuesday, August 8 to take on the Jersey Shore BlueClaws.

ABOUT THE HUDSON VALLEY RENEGADES

The Hudson Valley Renegades are the High-A affiliate of the New York Yankees and 2023 South Atlantic League North Division First Half Champions. Tickets for the 2023 SAL Playoffs are on sale now! To buy tickets now, slide to www.hvrenegades.com or call (845) 838-0094.

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