The Philadelphia Phillies may have just found their next ace. Vince Velasquez, the 23-year-old pitcher acquired in the Ken Giles deal, turned in a phenomenal performance against the San Diego Padres on Thursday, striking out 16 during a complete game three-hitter.
The start put Velasquez in elite company.
 | @AndrewSimonMLB | |
Vince Velasquez, wow. He'd be the 5th-youngest pitcher to have a scoreless start of 14+ K, 0 BB behind Gooden, K. Wood, J. Fernandez, Blue.
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Velasquez showed promise with the Houston Astros last season, but there were questions about whether he would be able to hold up as a full-time starter. That didn't seem to be an issue Thursday.
The right-hander's stuff and velocity held as the game went on. Velasquez was still touching 97 mph with his fastball on pitch No. 101. His last pitch of the day clocked in at 96 mph.
More importantly, Velasquez didn't walk a single batter during the start. He induced an amazing 27 swinging strikes, and finished with a game score of 97.
Only seven starts last season produced a higher game score. Four of those came during no-hitters.
 | @michaeljstern23 | |
Velasquez just threw a game-score 97, 16K complete game shutout. 7 game scores higher than 97 occurred last year, 4 in no-hitters.
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Sure, it's just one start. And sure, it came against the punchless Padres. But it's an incredible accomplishment, and a much-needed boost for the Phillies.
Everyone knew the team was entering the season in rebuilding mode, and the main goal would be finding players who could contribute to the next Phillies' winner. It may just be one start, but Velasquez has already put himself in that conversation.
The Phillies will still struggle this season, but their core looks a lot more promising than people might think.
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