Cubs reunite with power-hitting outfielder Nelson Velázquez

Photo courtesy: Iowa Cubs

Dustin Riese · Senior Writer · 10 hours ago

With 33 of their 40 spots accounted for on their 40-man roster, the Cubs still have plenty of work to do when it comes to rounding out their roster for 2026. Ideally, they would love to add to their roster via free agency or trade, but with the offseason chugging along as slowly as it has, the Cubs need to focus on the bigger picture.

That picture is building up as much depth as possible across the Minor Leagues in case they need to add to their roster from within. You have already seen the Cubs make several minor league moves this offseason, including a recent move that hits home and may bring a smile to those who follow this team.

According to reports, former Cubs Outfielder and top-10 prospect at one point, Nelson Velazquez, is back with the Cubs after agreeing to a minor league deal with his former organization. While it is unclear whether this is a straight minor league move or one that comes with an invite to Spring, either way, Velazquez will return to his original organization with every opportunity to make this team at some point in 2026.

The 26-year-old Velazquez has been around for quite some time, as he was the fifth-round pick by the Cubs during the 2017 draft. Seen as a high upside player, Velazquez took a while to settle in as a player, but once he turned the corner, he emerged as one of the Cubs' best power bats in their system.

From the moment he stepped on the field in Rookie Ball in 2017, you saw the potential he had as a player as he connected for eight homers and 17 RBIs in just 32 games in 2017. His next two seasons continued to show his overall potential, as he combined for 20 homers and 79 RBIs in 2018 and 2019. What stood out the most in 2019, as opposed to his previous seasons, was the average, as he went from being a .230-ish hitter to pushing his average to .288.

That alone proved he was more than just a power hitter, as he could also hit for average if needed. Following a strong 2019 season, COVID-19 took the world by storm, thereby cancelling the entire 2020 Minor League season. That meant Velazquez would be forced to go an entire year without Minor League action, and that alone could kill a player's development.

What he did in the years post-COVID was living proof that he was indeed one of the Cubs' best prospects, as he added 51 homers over the next three seasons, including a career-best 20 homers and 73 RBIs in 2021. It got to the point where Velazquez had nothing else to prove in the Minors and wound up getting called up for the first time in 2022 for the Cubs.

During his 77-game stint on the Northside in 2022, Velazquez played sparingly at best, but did have his moments at the plate. His .205 average may not indicate that, but the six homers and 26 RBIs flashed the power potential that he continued to display across the Minors. 2023 was the same story: Velazquez opened the year in AAA, mashed, got called up, and was eventually traded to the Royals as part of the Jose Cuas deal.

That was the turning point of his career, as this was the first real opportunity he had to see consistent playing time at the Major League level. Across 53 games that season (40 coming with the Royals), Velazquez was on a tear as he slugged 17 homers and drove in 34 that season. 14 of those homers and 28 RBIs came in Kansas City as he also pushed his average to .240 by season's end.

Given what he displayed in 2023, the Royals felt they had a diamond in the rough and were hoping that Velazquez could emerge as the actual power threat they have been lacking. Instead, he has played just 64 MLB games since 2023, all in 2024, when he hit .200 with eight homers and 27 RBIs.

The lack of production across the board was enough to send him back to the Minors as he spent most of the past two seasons with Omaha, connecting for 18 combined homers and driving in close to 70 runs. Faced with a tough decision regarding his future, the Royals elected to part ways with Velazquez midseason, and he has remained a free agent ever since.

That all changed a few days ago, as Velazquez is officially back with his original organization and will be looking to prove himself again in AAA. For a team that could use outfield depth in the majors this season, Velazquez will be one of a handful of prospects to keep an eye on. Not only are the Cubs familiar with him, but his best days as a pro have come in the Cubs system, so you have to wonder if he has a little left to offer for this team.

At just 26 years old, Velazquez is far from finished as a player, but it's getting to the point where he may be nothing more than a AAA player most of his career. You can make a living if that is the case, but Velazquez isn't ready to let his dream of being a Major Leaguer die quite yet, as he will look to impress the Cubs once again.