Promoted to the highest level of the Minor Leagues last month, Ralphy Velazquez checked off a Triple-A first with a massive home run on Sunday. And then he checked off a Triple-A second.
The Guardians' No. 2 prospect walked off Columbus' 9-8 win over Omaha with a lasered single up the middle in the ninth inning at Huntington Park.
Velazquez has been heating up at the plate lately as he capped his third series at the new level. Sunday's performance marked his second multihit performance in his past four games and fourth across his past 11 contests. And four of his past five knocks have gone for extra bases.
MLB's No. 56 prospect put a charge into his first Clippers homer, pummeling a first-pitch sinker from right-hander Henry Williams (Royals) over the heart of the plate. Hammered at 104.3 mph, the ball cleared the 22-foot wall in right field.
COMPLETE GUARDIANS PROSPECT COVERAGE
Velazquez's walk-off, a stinger up the middle off MLB veteran righty Dan Altavilla, came off his bat at 99.1 mph.
The 2023 23rd overall pick has been at his best when tapping into his natural power. Velazquez rocketed eight of his 39 batted balls at Triple-A at 102 mph or harder, and all but one have been hits (four for extra bases).
More from MLB Pipeline:
• Top 100 prospects | Stats | Video | Podcast | Complete coverage
With his latest big performance, the left-handed slugger upped his slash line for the season to .296/.386/.528, with much of that production coming at Double-A Akron. That put Velazquez in the midst of his best statistical season yet, part of the reason he's risen in the rankings to become MLB's top first-base prospect.