Scouting Randy Vásquez ahead of his Major League debut

FB: plus-plus; 92-96 MPH

SL: plus; 81-84 MPH

CH: below-average; 87-90 MPH

CB: well-below-average; 81-83 MPH

Command: below-average

Projection: above-average pitcher; high risk

RHP Randy Vásquez locked it down 🔒

4 IP // 3 H // 0 R // 2 BB // 4 K pic.twitter.com/bFa9Huwvig

— NYYPlayerDev (@NYYPlayerDev) March 25, 2023

PHYSICAL: Vásquez is a skinny, high-waisted frame of average height with more lower-body muscle than upper-body muscle. His frame likely cannot handle more muscle, and/or it would inhibit his existing performance. Vásquez throws across the body from the 12 o’clock position towards his left knee. Vásquez lands on the 1B side of the mound on the finish.

STRENGTHS: Vásquez’s fastball is consistent and has some late rise. He occasionally throws a cut fastball that has some late horizontal break away from the batter. Vásquez has adopted the “whirly” pitch that is taking the Yankees farm system by storm, and his execution makes this a plus pitch. Vásquez works quickly on the mound, and he shows a commanding mound presence too. Vásquez is usually ahead of the count and induces a significant amount of fly and foul balls. 

WEAKNESSES: Vásquez’s pitches sometimes break too much and can get away from him and the catcher. His curve lacks consistent bite, and it also doesn’t have much of a traditional arc, although it is significantly slower than anything else he throws. Vásquez’s motion and arm speed can vary depending on the pitches he throws, and batters may be able to learn this quirk over time. Vásquez has some trouble painting the corners. Vásquez gets a little nervous when there’s a runner on 2B, looks over a lot and has trouble with his control.

SUMMARY: Vásquez was added to the 40-man roster by the Yankees this offseason and given some of the tools, it’s easy to see why. His curveball would be best eliminated, and his change needs to drop in speed, but his fastball and “whirly” slider are double-plus and plus pitches, respectively. If he used those two pitches exclusively, Vásquez could easily be a #2 or #3 starter in the coming years for the Yankees or another club.

Note: this scouting report was originally written in the 2022 offseason when Vásquez was last with AA Somerset.