Cubs trade prospect Nelson Velazquez for righty pitcher Jose Cuas

Michael McLoone - USA Today Sports

by Cubs Media Relations - Mon Jul 31 20:07:45 GMT-05:00 2023

CHICAGO – The Chicago Cubs today acquired right-handed pitcher José Cuas (kwas) from the Kansas City Royals for outfielder Nelson Velázquez.

Cuas, 29, has gone 7-2 with one save, 15 holds and a 4.08 ERA (36 ER/79.1 IP) in 92 games, all but one as a reliever, for the Kansas City Royals since making his major league debut last season. He has walked 45 and struck out 86, good for an average of 9.8 strikeouts per 9.0 innings.

The six-foot three-inch Cuas is 3-0 with four holds and a 4.54 ERA (21 ER/41.2 IP) in 45 relief appearances (one start) for Kansas City this season. He pitched to a 1.86 ERA (2 ER/9.2 IP) with a .200 opponent batting average in 10 relief appearances from June 28-July 28, walking six with 12 strikeouts.

Cuas was selected by Milwaukee in the 11th round of the 2015 First-Year Player Draft as an infielder and was converted to a pitcher by the Brewers following the 2017 season. In five minor league seasons on the mound, he is 13-7 with a 2.64 ERA (38 ER/129.1 IP) in 89 relief appearances, walking 39 batters and striking out 121. He signed with the Royals as a minor league free agent in June of 2021.

Velázquez, 24, appeared in 13 games for Chicago this season, hitting .241 (7-for-29) with two doubles, three home runs and six RBI. With Iowa this season, he batted .253 (74-for-292) with 15 doubles, 16 home runs and 44 RBI in 74 contests. Velázquez was selected by Chicago in the fifth round of the 2017 First-Year Player Draft out of the PJ Education School in Puerto Rico.

The #Cubs today acquired RHP José Cuas from the Kansas City Royals for OF Nelson Velázquez. pic.twitter.com/q7yIG0bmMf
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) August 1, 2023