Nelson Velázquez – Kansas City Royals Biography, Contract, Net Worth Information

Nelson Velázquez is making a name for himself in Major League Baseball as part of the Kansas City Royals organization. Born December 26, 1998, in Carolina, Puerto Rico, this young outfielder and designated hitter has turned heads with his performance.

Nelson Velázquez earns a yearly salary of $720,000 and has built a net worth of about $1,339,858 from his baseball career.

The Chicago Cubs brought Velázquez up from the Tennessee Smokies before he eventually landed in Kansas City. His road to the majors wasn’t exactly simple—Atlanta drafted him in the 20th round back in 2018, but he joined the Royals later on in a trade that also brought Drew Waters to the team.

Recently, the Royals optioned Velázquez, even though he was hitting .323 before that move. His one-year contract with Kansas City is a key step in a career that’s still unfolding. Honestly, it’s going to be interesting to see how he develops from here.

Early Life and Background

Nelson Velázquez started his baseball journey in Carolina, Puerto Rico. He was born there on December 26, 1998.

His early years really shaped his baseball skills and laid the groundwork for his future in Major League Baseball.

Family Origins

Nelson Javier Velázquez grew up in Carolina, Puerto Rico—a place that’s produced its fair share of baseball talent. The island’s deep baseball tradition influenced him from a young age.

Puerto Rico’s baseball culture runs deep. Legends like Roberto Clemente and Iván Rodríguez inspired a lot of kids, and Velázquez was no different.

While public records don’t reveal much about his immediate family, it’s clear his Puerto Rican heritage shaped both the person and the athlete he’s become.

Education and Youth Baseball

Velázquez attended PJ Education School in Puerto Rico. He balanced schoolwork with his growing love for baseball.

During those years, he stood out on the field, especially as an outfielder. He played in youth leagues and tournaments across Puerto Rico, sharpening his batting and defense.

Scouts started to notice his power and athletic build. That attention led to the 2017 MLB Draft, when the Chicago Cubs picked Velázquez in the fifth round (165th overall pick). That marked the start of his pro career.

Professional Baseball Career

Nelson Velázquez kicked off his pro career with the Chicago Cubs before joining the Kansas City Royals. His right-handed swing and outfield versatility have become trademarks.

MLB Debut and Teams

Velázquez debuted in the big leagues with the Cubs in 2022. In his rookie season, he played 77 games, hit .205, and collected 38 hits in 185 at-bats.

He showed off his power with seven doubles, three triples, and six home runs. He also drove in 26 runs.

He managed to steal five bases during that rookie year.

After his time with the Cubs, Velázquez joined the Royals on a one-year contract. That move gave him a fresh shot to prove himself as a regular MLB contributor.

Position as Outfielder

Velázquez mainly plays as an outfielder and designated hitter. His defensive versatility lets him cover multiple outfield spots, and he spent a lot of time in center field with the Cubs.

Born in Puerto Rico, Velázquez brings athleticism and a strong arm to the outfield. He bats and throws right-handed, which fits the mold of a power-hitting corner outfielder.

With the Royals, he’s still working on his defense and trying to become a more consistent hitter. Being able to play different outfield positions makes him valuable for roster flexibility.

Triple-A Performance

Before he reached the majors, Velázquez spent time in Triple-A, where he really polished his skills.

In the minors, he hit with more power and a better average than he did at first in the big leagues. Those Triple-A numbers helped earn him a call-up to the Cubs.

After joining the Royals, Velázquez has bounced between the major league club and their Triple-A affiliate. These stints give him regular at-bats and time to work on his approach.

He signed with the Cubs for a $400,000 bonus after they picked him in the fifth round (165th overall) of the 2017 draft.

Contract Information

Nelson Velázquez’s career includes some noteworthy financial details. His contracts reflect his rising status in the league.

Current Contract Details

Nelson Velázquez is under contract with the Kansas City Royals. He signed a 1-year deal with the team, and there aren’t any complicated options or incentives in the public record.

Velázquez has moved around a bit. The Cubs optioned him to their minor league affiliate, the Iowa Cubs, on June 1, 2022, after calling him up just two days earlier.

These moves are pretty typical for young players as teams evaluate talent and juggle their rosters.

Salary and Wages

Velázquez’s annual salary is $720,000, which is standard for a newer major leaguer. That puts him on the lower end for MLB salaries, but it’s normal for someone early in their career.

He doesn’t have a signing bonus in this deal. That’s pretty common for players who haven’t secured an everyday spot yet.

His pay follows MLB’s minimum salary structure for 40-man roster players. If he sticks around and keeps improving, Velázquez could land bigger contracts through arbitration or free agency in the coming years.

Net Worth Analysis

Nelson Velázquez’s finances reflect his young career and his growing value in Major League Baseball. Since his MLB debut with the Cubs, his earnings have picked up as he’s moved through the minors and now with the Royals.

Estimated Net Worth

Based on public info, Nelson Velázquez’s net worth sits between $1-2 million as of May 2025. Most of that comes from his MLB salary.

Velázquez earns $747,000 this season with the Royals, which is a slight bump from his previous $720,000 with the Cubs.

He’s still finding his footing in the majors, so he hasn’t hit the big contract territory just yet. His net worth includes:

• MLB salaries
• Possible minor league bonuses
• Some basic endorsements
• Assets minus debts

His endorsement deals are still pretty modest, which makes sense for a player at this stage.

Financial Growth Over Time

Velázquez’s finances have grown steadily since the Cubs drafted him in the 5th round (165th overall) in 2017. Early minor league contracts didn’t pay much, but things changed once he made it to the majors.

Here are a few milestones:

• 2017: Got his signing bonus as the Cubs’ 5th round pick
• 2021: Named Arizona Fall League MVP (maybe got bonuses)
• 2022: Made MLB debut with the Cubs, earning league minimum
• 2023: Saw a salary bump with more MLB experience
• 2025: Now making $747,000 with the Royals

His financial path matches what you’d expect for a developing MLB player. If he can lock down a starting job and boost his stats, he could see much bigger paydays soon.

Off-Field Life and Other Pursuits

Off the field, Nelson Velázquez keeps a pretty low profile while getting involved in some community activities. He’s still building his professional identity as he settles into the majors.

Community Involvement

Velázquez has shown he cares about giving back, especially in places tied to his baseball story. Since joining the Royals, he’s taken part in team charity events and youth clinics, helping introduce baseball to kids in Kansas City.

When he played for the Cubs, he joined their outreach programs in Chicago and Puerto Rico. As someone from Puerto Rico, he’s expressed support for hurricane relief efforts back home.

His community work is still on the smaller side, which makes sense given where he is in his career and his net worth of about $1.3 million.

Legal Matters

Velázquez has kept his legal record clean throughout his professional career.

While some athletes run into legal trouble, he hasn’t landed in any public disputes or controversies.

Nobody’s reported Velázquez for tax evasion or any financial missteps. That’s not always the case for athletes who suddenly have a lot more money to manage.

He signed a pretty straightforward contract with the Kansas City Royals—a one-year deal for $720,000.

This simple arrangement probably helped him steer clear of the legal headaches that sometimes come with complicated contracts or big endorsement deals.