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Friday, May 21, 2021

Ed Vazquez expressed nerves upon pro career's start; Saw three seasons, made high-A


Ed Vazquez played some infield in high school. He then picked up pitching in college and did so well in that that the Mets drafted him as a pitcher, The Kingsport Times-News wrote.

Sent to rookie Kingsport, he got off to a hot start.

"I was really nervous the first time I was on the mound here," Vazquez told The Times-News that July. "I didn't know what to expect from myself or my team mates at first. I know I can pitch here now."

Vazquez pitched well enough that year to pick up seven wins at Kingsport. He then picked up 10 more in 1990 at short-season Pittsfield. His career, however, proved brief. He saw just one more campaign after that. He topped out at high-A.

Vazquez' career began in 1989, taken by the Mets in the 13th round of the draft out of Baruch College in New York.

At Baruch, Vazquez made the conference all-star team over two years and he pitched against the Puerto Rican Olympic Team as he traveled to the Dominican Republic twice with the New York Hispanic Team.

He spoke to the school paper The Tickler in March 1988 about his team's prospects.

"We have a good chance for the CUNY, but we have to keep our heads on straight and in a good frame of mind," Vazquez told The Tickler.

With the Mets, Vazquez started at rookie Kingsport. He got into 17 games and started 12. He went 7-2, with a 3.05 ERA. He also saw three outings, two starts at short-season Pittsfield.

Vazquez' manager Jim Eschen sent Vazquez out for an August start with some praise. "Vazquez has been our best starter," Eschen told The Times-News.

He returned to Pittsfield for 1990. He went 10-2, with a 2.41 ERA. His work earned him the team's Most Valuable Pitcher award for the season.

Vazquez started 1991 at high-A St. Lucie. He got into one game and gave up one run in one inning. He later joined the Brewers at single-A Beloit. He got into seven relief outings there to end his career.

1990 Minor League Tally 
Players/Coaches Featured:3,656
Made the Majors:1,251-34.2%
Never Made Majors:2,405-65.8%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors:522
10+ Seasons in the Minors:308

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