Velasquez embracing make-or-break season

Velasquez's masterful outing CLEARWATER, Fla. -- If the Phillies truly plan to shock people, if they really truly believe they have a shot to compete for a spot in the postseason, Vince Velasquez will need to fulfill the potential that made him the most coveted piece in the Ken Giles trade with Houston in December 2015.

This could be his final chance to live up to the hype in Philadelphia.

"I think it's one of those big years," Velasquez acknowledged Wednesday morning before Phillies pitchers and catchers held their first workout at Carpenter Complex.

Velasquez, 25, went 8-3 with a 3.33 ERA in his first 19 career starts with the Phillies. He looked like a promising top-of-the-rotation starter,…