Bronx Native Andrew Velazquez '12 Suits Up for Hometown Yankees

Andrew Velazquez ’12 grew up a gifted athlete who dreamed of putting on the pinstripes and taking the field at Yankee Stadium. On August 9, he became only the third graduate of Fordham Prep, and first in 71 years, to play for the New York Yankees.

Velazquez grew up in Morris Park, a neighborhood in the East Bronx. He graduated from St. Francis Xavier Elementary School before deciding to attend Fordham Prep. At the Prep, Andrew was a multi-sport athlete who played football, ran track and field, and, of course, shined in baseball. 

His raw athleticism and work ethic led to his name getting called in the 7^th round of the 2012 MLB Draft. He got mobbed by his teammates on the team bus en route to an away game the moment he was drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks during his senior season at the Prep. 

BX - NYY

There's no place like home. Just ask @squid718, his family, friends, and Yankees fans. pic.twitter.com/QW6mWZl7gn

— YES Network (@YESNetwork) August 28, 2021

Just over a month since being called up to the Yankees, Andrew helped catalyze a season-high 13 game winning streak with his clutch hitting, electric speed on the base paths, and sparkling play at shortstop. He has lived his dream all while living at his parents’ home at Morris Park. Andrew has become a fan favorite in the Bronx and a popular headline across professional sports. 

Check out a collection of recent stories and guest appearances from Andrew's call up to The Show:

1. The New York Times: "A Bronx Kid is Living Something Wilder Than His Dreams"

2. The Athletic: "Yankees’ Andrew Velazquez, Bronx native, makes his childhood dream come true: ‘Better than I could have imagined it"

3. R2C2 Podcast: "Andrew Velazquez Is Living a Bronx Dream"

4. Michael Kay Show Podcast Episode