Although there are going to be a number of options to fill in for Seiya Suzuki in right field should he miss extended time to open the season, you would love for a young player to step in and surprisingly dominate for that month (or whatever). It would be nice to know you might have another guy.
Nelson Velazquez, who we should not forget was THE breakout offensive prospect in 2021 before Alexander Canario and Matt Mervis did it last year, is probably hoping to get the shot. His 2022 season was a mixed bag as he adjusted to big league pitching in a limited role, raking against lefties and struggling against righties. For 2023, the 24-year-old outfielder is not yet assured a roster spot, much less a starting gig.
You can’t win that kind of job in a single Spring Training game, but you can certainly take an impressive swing or two.
That’s all my elaborate way of setting up this monster dinger that Velazquez just hit:
That’s gotta be 430-feet or more to right center. Absolutely crushed. Nelson’s got that power.