Velez was named the Toronto Blue Jays opening day designated hitter in their first game on April 7, 1977, as he went 2 for 4 with a run, helping Toronto defeat the Chicago White Sox 9–5. Velez was named American League Player of the Month for the month of April, as he hit .442 with 5 HR and 18 RBI in 21 games. He had a very solid first season in Toronto, finishing the season with a .256 batting average with 16 HR and 62 RBI in 120 games.