Andrew Velazquez

SOUTH BEND – South Bend Silver Hawks shortstop Andrew Velazquez has been very consistent this season. His on-field performance earned him a place in baseball lore.

Velazquez has broken the Minor League consecutive on-base record by singling against Fort Wayne Sunday, reaching base for the 72nd consecutive game. Velazquez broke the mark previously owned by Kevin Millar (1997) and Kevin Youkilis (2003). Both Millar and Youkilis achieved their records in part with the Boston Red Sox AA affiliate Portland, with Youkilis splitting time with Portland and AAA Pawtucket before both went on to have productive Major League Baseball careers.

Velazquez’s on-base streak began on April 22, when he tripled and walked against the Dayton Dragons. Velazquez is currently batting .310 with an .860 OPS. Velazquez also leads the Midwest League with 170 total bases and 13 triples while ranking second with 40 stolen bases. He has been a key cog in South Bend’s lineup, adding 113 hits, 13 doubles, six homers, 40 RBIs and has a slash line of .310/.388/.466 in 89 games this season.

The Major League on-base record is 84 straight games, held the Boston Red Sox great Ted Williams, set in 1949.

South Bend currently has the second-best record in the Midwest League at 56-36 and has clinched a playoff spot. Kane County leads the Midwest League with a 62-31 overall record while Fort Wayne is struggling at 36-56 overall.