Phillies starting pitcher, Vince Velasquez plays the OF and throws out a runner, a breakdown
What Happened
In a July 2019 extra-innings mess between the White Sox and Phillies, a double switch forced Philadelphia into a bizarre spot where starting pitcher Vince Velasquez ended up playing left field. Velasquez wasn't pitching because he'd thrown 90 pitches a few days earlier, so the Phillies stashed him in the outfield while an actual position move put a different arm on the mound. With the go-ahead run trying to score from third, Velasquez fielded a hopper in left and fired a strike home to nail the runner at the plate. He later added a successful pickoff from the outfield, two more strong throws to the bases, and a diving catch to close an inning.
Why This Matters
This is what happens when a manager runs out of bench. Velasquez had pitched two days earlier, so he couldn't take the mound, but the Phillies still needed his bat and glove somewhere, which landed him in left field. The throw home to cut down the go-ahead run is the headline, because pitchers rarely get tested defensively and almost never from the grass. White Sox runners kept challenging his arm, assuming a starter in the outfield couldn't make the throw, and he kept proving them wrong. It's a reminder that plenty of MLB pitchers were standout athletes and shortstops in high school. Despite all of Velasquez's highlight plays, the Phillies still lost the game, which fits a 2019 Philadelphia team that finished 81-81 and missed the playoffs after spending big in the offseason.
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Key Moments
Who / What Is Involved
Players: Vince Velasquez. Teams: Phillies.
Key Terms Mentioned
Full Transcript
Click timestamps to jump to that momentthe White Sox and Phillies played a
beautifully sloppy game of baseball the
other day Extra Innings man on first
pitcher tries to bunt them over to get
him in scoring position doesn't work
don't worry
Fullmer walks the next batter he says
hey hey pitch velázquez nietzsche was
like 2 pitch not need you to pinch run
for the pitcher here we go fillets
Phillies baseball ok but doesn't matter
at a pitcher pinch run for a pitcher but
pop out [ __ ] so now you have to put the
pitcher in the outfield and you have an
outfielder pitching why is the pitcher
not pitching well Heep through 90
pitches a couple days ago so he can't
lead off walk hotshot gets them can they
double him up no they throw it away
Abreu goes to second but he bangs up his
knee on the play remember got a starting
pitcher in left field and he's going to
get some action go ahead run rounds
third he's hobbling home pitcher throws
it nails him
nice one hopper low right to the glove
perfect tag and he is out that's fun
ever get up get up one struggling
getting out of it everyone up everyone
up
give him the curveball diving stop at
third and they escape pitcher pitching
they get out of it yeah next inning
though Phillies didn't score man on
first hey I need you to throw it over
can you do that for me just step off
step off and throw it over ok I can do
that and also a check out my thumb
fully-functional what do you think about
that steps off throws that over thumb is
the pickoff sign for those that don't
know everyone's excited hey you throw a
pickoff successful pickoff next time you
walk Sanderson now you got 2 on Abreu is
the hitter not the runner now and they
test his arm again and he comes up
rifling again oh they just barely
missing he's like damn man you got good
arm
no scouting report look at this here's a
little freeze-frame I have perfect slide
they just miss them perfect slide oh
yeah pout time skin late it's about time
now they're up but just to end it one
more shot to the pitcher and look feel
he makes a diving grab look at that now
that is a fun time hitters like come on
man
goddamn he's smiling the Phillies lost
they couldn't come back but good job by
the pitcher