Alex Verdugo

{{Infobox baseball biography

|name = Alex Verdugo

|image = Alex Verdugo Los Angeles Dodgers (46765957895) (cropped).jpg

|caption = Verdugo with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2019

|image_size =

|team = Atlanta Braves

|number = 8

|position = Outfielder

|bats = Left

|throws = Left

|birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1996|5|15}}

|birth_place = Tucson, Arizona, U.S.

|debutleague = MLB

|debutdate = September 1

|debutyear = 2017

|debutteam = Los Angeles Dodgers

|statyear = May 29, 2025

|statleague = MLB

|stat1label = Batting average

|stat1value = .271

|stat2label = Hits

|stat2value = 818

|stat3label = Home runs

|stat3value = 70

|stat4label = Runs batted in

|stat4value = 326

|teams =

Los Angeles Dodgers ({{mlby|2017}}–{{mlby|2019}})
Boston Red Sox ({{mlby|2020}}–{{mlby|2023}})
New York Yankees ({{mlby|2024}})
Atlanta Braves ({{mlby|2025}}–present)

|awards =

|show-medals=no

|medaltemplates=

{{Medal|Country|{{bb|MEX}}}}

}}

Alexander Brady Verdugo (born May 15, 1996) is an American professional baseball outfielder for the Atlanta Braves of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Boston Red Sox, and New York Yankees.

The Dodgers selected Verdugo in the second round of the 2014 MLB draft. He made his MLB debut with the Dodgers in 2017, was traded to the Red Sox after the 2019 season, and was traded to the Yankees prior to the 2024 season. In 2017, Verdugo committed to represent the Mexican national team and was later called up for the 2017 and 2023 World Baseball Classics.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sports360az.com/2018/05/alex-verdugo-dodgers/|title=Tucson-Native and Sahuaro Alumnus Alex Verdugo Providing an "Edge" for Los Angeles Dodgers|date=May 5, 2018|website=Sports360AZ|language=en-US|access-date=April 27, 2019}}{{Cite news |last=Felt |first=Hunter |date=March 18, 2023 |title=Puerto Rico 4-5 Mexico: World Baseball Classic quarter-finals – as it happened |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2023/mar/17/puerto-rico-v-mexico-world-baseball-classic-quarter-finals-live?page=with:block-6414ff1a8f08b754715d01dd |access-date=October 30, 2024 |work=The Guardian}}

Early life

Verdugo's father, Joe, is from Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico.{{cite web | last=Gallegos | first=Martín | title=Alex Verdugo on his Mexican American roots | website=MLB.com | date=October 18, 2021 | url=https://www.mlb.com/news/alex-verdugo-on-his-mexican-american-roots | access-date=August 19, 2024}} His mother, Shelly, is from Minnesota. Verdugo attended Sahuaro High School in Tucson, Arizona.{{Cite web|url=https://allsportstucson.com/2020/02/09/support-from-alex-verdugos-parents-nurtured-him-from-sahuaro-high-school-to-baseball-headliner-as-part-of-blockbuster-trade/|title=Support From Alex Verdugo's Parents Nurtured Him From Sahuaro High School to Baseball Headliner as Part of Blockbuster Trade | ALLSPORTSTUCSON.com|first=Javier|last=Morales|date=February 10, 2020}}

Professional career

=Los Angeles Dodgers=

==Minor leagues==

The Los Angeles Dodgers selected Verdugo in the second round of the 2014 Major League Baseball draft. He signed with the Dodgers, forgoing his commitment to play college baseball at Arizona State University.{{Cite web|url=https://www.perfectgame.org/Players/PlayerProfile.aspx?ID=306281|title=Alex Verdugo Class of 2014 - Player Profile | Perfect Game USA|website=Perfect Game}} In 49 games for the Arizona League Dodgers, he hit .347 and was awarded with post-season Arizona League All-Star honors and Baseball America Rookie league All-Star honors. He was assigned to the Single-A Great Lakes Loons of the Midwest League to start 2015.{{cite web|url=http://www.mlive.com/loons/index.ssf/2015/04/los_angeles_dodgers_send_top_d.html|title=Los Angeles Dodgers send top draft picks Grant Holmes, Alex Verdugo to Great Lakes Loons|first=Hugh|last=Bernreuter|work=Mlive.com|date=April 6, 2015|access-date=April 7, 2015}} He was selected to the post-season all-star team{{cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-145068594|title=McBroom, Torres highlight MWL All-Stars|first=Sam|last=Dykstra|work=Minor League Baseball|date=August 24, 2015|access-date=August 24, 2015}} after he hit .295 in 101 games. Verdugo also received a late season promotion to the High-A Rancho Cucamonga Quakes of the California League{{cite web|url=http://allsportstucson.com/2015/08/14/dodgers-promote-alex-verdugo-to-the-rancho-cucamonga-quakes/|title=Dodgers promote Alex Verdugo to the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes|work=Allsportstucson.com|first=Andy|last=Morales|date=August 15, 2015|access-date=September 19, 2015}} where he played in 23 games and hit .385. He also hit for the cycle in a game against the Lancaster JetHawks on August 27.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/alex-verdugo-hits-for-the-cycle-for-quakes/c-145665834|title=Verdugo hits for the cycle for Class A Advanced Rancho Cucamonga|work=mlb.com|first=Mike|last=Rosenbaum|date=August 27, 2015|access-date=September 19, 2015|archive-date=April 18, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160418061453/http://m.mlb.com/news/article/145665834/alex-verdugo-hits-for-the-cycle-for-quakes|url-status=live}} He was named the organization's minor league player of the year.{{cite web|url=http://www.truebluela.com/2015/10/1/9435061/zach-lee-alex-verdugo-dodgers-minor-league-branch-rickey-awards|title=Alex Verdugo, Zach Lee named Dodgers 2015 minor league player, pitcher of year|work=SB Nation|first=Eric|last=Stephen|date=October 1, 2015|access-date=October 1, 2015}}

To start the 2016 season, Verdugo was promoted to the Double-A Tulsa Drillers of the Texas League,{{cite web|url=http://www.tulsaworld.com/sportsextra/drillers/drillers-roster-set-for-season-opener/article_a341df89-92ef-511f-bbf1-24fa588b93db.html|title=Drillers' roster set for season opener|work=Tulsaworld.com|first=Barry|last=Lewis|date=April 4, 2016|access-date=April 4, 2016}} where he was selected as a starter for the mid-season all-star game{{cite web|url=http://www.truebluela.com/2016/6/14/11939846/willie-calhoun-alex-verdugo-tulsa-all-stars-dodgers-texas-league|title=Alex Verdugo, Willie Calhoun among 9 Texas League All-Stars for Double-A Tulsa|work=SB Nation|first=Eric|last=Stephen|date=June 14, 2016|access-date=June 14, 2016}} and named to the post-season all-star team.{{cite web|url=http://www.truebluela.com/2016/8/31/12735086/chase-de-jong-texas-league-pitcher-of-year-dodgers-tulsa-willie-calhoun-alex-verdugo|title=Chase De Jong named Texas League Pitcher of the Year|work=SB Nation|first=Eric|last=Stephen|date=August 31, 2016|access-date=August 31, 2016}} He had a .273 batting average in 126 games for the Drillers and hit 13 home runs with 63 RBIs. He was assigned to the Glendale Desert Dogs of the Arizona Fall League at the conclusion of the season, and batted .140/.213/.233. Verdugo also played for the Mexico national baseball team in an exhibition series in Japan in November{{cite web|url=http://www.truebluela.com/2016/11/5/13504084/alex-verdugo-mexico-exhibition-japan-dodgers-player-development-notes|title=Alex Verdugo to join Team Mexico for exhibition in Japan|work=SB Nation|first=Eric|last=Stephen|date=November 5, 2016|access-date=November 6, 2016}} and in the 2017 World Baseball Classic.{{cite web|url=https://dodgers.mlblogs.com/dodgers-cover-the-globe-with-world-baseball-classic-roster-announcements-1cf217a57d3#.xhyladhqx|title=Dodgers cover the globe with World Baseball Classic roster announcements|first=Cary|last=Osborne|date=February 8, 2017|access-date=March 6, 2017|work=dodgers.com}} He began 2017 with the Oklahoma City Dodgers and was named as a starter for the mid-season Pacific Coast League all-star team{{cite web|url=https://www.truebluela.com/all-star-game/2017/6/28/15888800/willie-calhoun-alex-verdugo-wilmer-font-madison-younginer-pcl-all-stars-dodgers-okc|title=Willie Calhoun, Alex Verdugo lead 4 Oklahoma City All-Stars|work=SB Nation|first=Eric|last=Stephen|date=June 28, 2017|access-date=June 28, 2017}} and chosen to represent the world team at the All-Star Futures Game.{{cite web|url=http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/2017-futures-game-world-rosters-and-scouting-reports/#eBF3MxClLXqoyxyF.97|title=2017 World Futures Game Rosters And Scouting Reports|work=Baseball America|author=BA Staff|date=June 29, 2017|access-date=June 29, 2017}} In 117 games for Oklahoma City, he hit .314.{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=verdug000ale|title=Alex Verdugo Minor & Fall Leagues Statistics & History|website=Baseball-Reference.com|language=en|access-date=April 27, 2019}}

==Major leagues==

Verdugo was promoted to the majors for the first time on September 1, 2017.{{cite news|url=http://www.latimes.com/sports/dodgers/la-sp-dodgers-verdugo-pederson-20170831-story.html|title=Dodgers to promote Alex Verdugo, leave Joc Pederson in the minors|newspaper=LA Times|first=Andy|last=McCullough|date=August 31, 2017|access-date=September 1, 2017}} He made his MLB debut as the starting center fielder that night against the San Diego Padres and was hitless in three at-bats with one walk.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/gameday/dodgers-vs-padres/2017/09/01/492110#game_state=final,game_tab=box,game=492110|title=Dodgers 1, Padres 0|work=mlb.com|date=September 1, 2017|access-date=September 2, 2017}} His first MLB hit was a single off of Clayton Richard of the Padres on September 2.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/gameday/dodgers-vs-padres/2017/09/02/490565#game_state=final,game_tab=play-by-play,game=490565|title=Padres 6, Dodgers 5|work=mlb.com|date=September 2, 2017|access-date=September 3, 2017}} He hit his first major league home run on September 10 off of Adam Ottavino of the Colorado Rockies.{{cite web|url=http://www.ocregister.com/2017/09/10/first-career-home-run-boosts-alex-verdugos-confidence/|title=First career home run boosts Alex Verdugo's confidence|work=Orange County Register|first=J.P.|last=Hoornstra|date=September 10, 2017|access-date=September 11, 2017}} Verdugo was kept off the playoff roster that lost to the Houston Astros in the 2017 World Series. He played in 16 games for the Dodgers in 2017 and had four hits in 23 at-bats, batting .174/.240/.304.

In 2018, he was selected to represent the Pacific Coast League at the Triple-A All-Star Game{{cite web|url=https://newsok.com/article/5599672/four-dodgers-selected-for-triple-a-all-star-game|title=Four OKC Dodgers selected for Triple-A All-Star Game|work=newsok|first=Cameron|last=Jourdan|date=June 28, 2018|access-date=July 8, 2018}} and was also selected to the post-season all-star team.{{cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/pacific-coast/news/2018-all-pacific-coast-league-team-announced/c-292138892|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180827201745/https://www.milb.com/pacific-coast/news/2018-all-pacific-coast-league-team-announced/c-292138892|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 27, 2018|title=2018 All-Pacific Coast League team announced|author=Pacific Coast League|date=August 27, 2018|access-date=August 27, 2018}} He appeared in 37 games for the Dodgers, hitting .260 while spending most of the season with Oklahoma City, where he hit .329.

On March 23, 2019, Verdugo was announced as a member of the 2019 Dodgers opening day roster.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/dodgers/news/alex-verdugo-julio-urias-ready-to-help-dodgers|title= Verdugo, Urias ready to impact big league club |work=MLB.com|date=March 23, 2019|first=Ken|last=Gurnick}} He appeared in 106 games for the Dodgers, with a .294 batting average, 27 home runs and 44 RBIs. He played center field while A. J. Pollock was out with an injury{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/dodgers/la-sp-dodgers-alex-verdugo-a-j-pollock-20190607-story.html|title=Dave Roberts: When A.J. Pollock returns to Dodgers, 'he's gonna play'|newspaper=LA Times|first=Mike|last=Digiovanna|date=June 7, 2019|access-date=October 3, 2019}} but lost playing time when Pollock returned.{{cite web|url=https://www.ocregister.com/2019/07/14/a-j-pollocks-return-means-squeeze-for-playing-time-in-dodgers-outfield/|title=A.J. Pollock's return means squeeze for playing time in Dodgers outfield|work=Orange County Register|first=Bill|last=Plunkett|date=July 14, 2019|access-date=October 3, 2019}} Verdugo went on the injured list on August 6 with an oblique strain and later came down with a back injury during a rehab assignment.{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/dodgers/story/2019-09-10/dodgers-alex-verdugo-injury-rehab-edwin-rios-roster-opportunity|title=Dodgers outfielder Alex Verdugo's lingering injury opens door for Edwin Rios|newspaper=LA Times|first=Jorge|last=Castillo|date=September 10, 2019|access-date=October 3, 2019}} The injury kept him out the rest of the season and the playoffs.{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/dodgers/story/2019-09-17/alex-verdugo-dodgers-back-injury-nlds|title=Dodgers' Alex Verdugo will miss NLDS because of back injury|newspaper=LA Times|first=Mike|last=Digiovanna|date=September 17, 2019|access-date=October 3, 2019}}

=Boston Red Sox=

On February 10, 2020, the Dodgers traded Verdugo, Jeter Downs, and Connor Wong to the Boston Red Sox in exchange for Mookie Betts, David Price, and cash considerations.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/dodgers/news/mookie-betts-trade-dodgers-red-sox|title=Mookie Betts is officially on his way to LA|work=MLB.com|first=Ken|last=Gurnick|date=February 10, 2020|access-date=February 10, 2020}} During the start-delayed 2020 season, he was a regular corner outfielder for Boston, appearing in 22 games in left field and 31 games in right field. Overall with the 2020 Red Sox, Verdugo batted .308 with six home runs and 15 RBIs in 53 games. Of all qualified major league outfielders, Verdugo had the best fielding percentage, at .959.{{Cite web|url=https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=of&stats=fld&lg=all&qual=y&type=0&season=2020&month=0&season1=2020&ind=0&team=0&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0&startdate=2020-01-01&enddate=2020-12-31&sort=21,a|title=Major League Leaderboards » 2020 » Outfielders » Fielding Statistics | FanGraphs Baseball|website=www.fangraphs.com}}

Verdugo began the 2021 season as a regular member of Boston's outfield, playing all three positions. He was placed on the paternity list on August 8, and returned to the team on August 13.{{cite web |url=https://www.mlb.com/redsox/roster/transactions/2021/08 |title=Red Sox Roster & Staff – Transactions |website=MLB.com |publisher=Boston Red Sox |date=August 2021 |accessdate=August 13, 2022}} He played in 146 regular-season games for Boston, batting .289 with 13 home runs and 63 RBIs. He also played in 11 postseason games, batting 13-for-42 (.310) as the Red Sox advanced to the American League Championship Series. Late in the season, Verdugo expressed his desire to become a two-way player, saying that he wanted to not be "Shohei Ohtani where he is starting and all that" but that he wanted to be a two-way player by the 2023 season.{{Cite web|url=https://www.boston.com/sports/boston-red-sox/2021/10/08/alex-verdugo-pitch-two-way-player-red-sox/ |title=Red Sox outfielder Alex Verdugo shares desire to pitch, too |first=Conor |last=Roche |website=Boston.com |date=October 8, 2021}} Beginning in 2021, Verdugo started experiencing blistering, bleeding, scabbing and pain in his hands.{{cite news |last1=Miller |first1=Randy |title=Yankees' Alex Verdugo is allergic to his batting gloves, doctor says. Could it be causing his struggles? |url=https://www.nj.com/yankees/2024/08/yankees-alex-verdugos-hitting-struggles-are-a-mystery-that-maybe-only-doctors-can-solve.html |access-date=August 22, 2024 |work=NJ.com |publisher=NJ Advance Media |date=August 16, 2024 |language=en}}

Verdugo returned as a corner outfielder for Boston during 2022, appearing in 150 games in the outfield and two at designated hitter. He batted .280 with 11 home runs and 74 RBIs.{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/v/verdual01.shtml |title=Alex Verdugo Stats |website=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=October 8, 2022}} At the end of the regular season, Red Sox manager Alex Cora highlighted Verdugo as a player who could improve for 2023, stating, “Yeah, he hit for average, but he can be a lot better baserunning, defensively."{{cite news |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/mlb/red-sox-e2-80-99s-alex-cora-alex-verdugo-is-the-player-who-needs-to-take-the-biggest-leap-in-2023/ar-AA12DLEO |title=Red Sox's Alex Cora: Alex Verdugo is the player who needs to take the biggest leap in 2023 |first=Chris |last=Cotillo |website=masslive.com |via=MSN.com |date=October 5, 2022 |accessdate=October 8, 2022}}

On January 13, 2023, the Red Sox and Verdugo reached agreement on a one-year contract, avoiding salary arbitration.{{cite news |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/01/13/sports/red-sox-settle-remaining-arbitration-eligibles/ |title=Red Sox agree on contracts with their remaining five arbitration-eligibles |first=Julian |last=McWilliams |website=The Boston Globe |url-access=limited |date=January 13, 2023 |accessdate=January 14, 2023}} He batted .303 with five home runs and 31 RBIs through June 22, when he was placed on the bereavement list.{{cite news |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/37899379/red-sox-put-alex-verdugo-bereavement-list-reese-mcguire-il |title=Red Sox put Alex Verdugo on bereavement list |website=ESPN.com |date=June 22, 2023 |accessdate=June 24, 2023}} He returned to the team on June 27.{{cite news |url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/red-soxs-alex-verdugo-returns-to-action-883500/ |title=Red Sox's Alex Verdugo: Returns to action |website=CBS Sports |date=June 28, 2023 |accessdate=June 29, 2023}}

=New York Yankees=

File:Alex Verdugo (iPFY5ZVFScE).png

On December 5, 2023, the Red Sox traded Verdugo to the New York Yankees for Richard Fitts, Greg Weissert, and Nicholas Judice.{{Cite web |date=December 6, 2023 |title=Red Sox trade Alex Verdugo to Yankees for three pitchers |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/39050983/sources-red-sox-trading-alex-verdugo-yankees-prospects |access-date=December 6, 2023 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=December 6, 2023 |title=Alex Verdugo trade: Yankees acquire outfielder from Red Sox in rare swap between AL East rivals |url=https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/alex-verdugo-trade-yankees-acquire-outfielder-from-red-sox-in-rare-swap-between-al-east-rivals/ |access-date=December 6, 2023 |website=CBSSports.com |language=en}}

After struggling to start the 2024 season and continuing to experience the skin issues and pain which had been present in his hands since 2021, Verdugo submitted to an allergy test during the All-Star break. It was determined that he was allergic to the cobalt and chromate in his batting gloves. Verdugo played in 149 games for the Yankees in 2024, batting .233/.291/.356 with 13 home runs and 61 RBI.{{Cite web |title=Alex Verdugo Stats, Age, Position, Height, Weight, Fantasy & News |url=https://www.mlb.com/player/alex-verdugo-657077 |access-date=March 20, 2025 |website=MLB.com |language=en}} After the season, he became a free agent.

= Atlanta Braves =

On March 20, 2025, Verdugo signed a one-year, $1.5 million contract with the Atlanta Braves.{{Cite web |title=Braves sign Alex Verdugo as outfield depth |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/alex-verdugo-braves-contract |access-date=March 20, 2025 |website=MLB.com |first1=Jason |last1=Foster|first2=Mark |last2=Bowman}} He subsequently consented to being optioned to the Triple-A Gwinnett Stripers to begin the season, in order to get in shape after missing spring training.{{cite news |last1=Gonzalez |first1=Alden |title=Braves sign veteran OF Alex Verdugo to 1-year, $1.5M deal |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/44331365/braves-sign-veteran-alex-verdugo-1-year-15m-deal |access-date=March 20, 2025 |publisher=ESPN.com |date=March 20, 2025}} Verdugo joined the active roster on April 17.{{cite news |title=Braves add Alex Verdugo to active roster |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/44720246/braves-add-alex-verdugo-active-roster |access-date=April 18, 2025 |publisher=ESPN.com |date=April 17, 2025}}{{cite news |last1=Bowman |first1=Mark |title=Seeking spark in outfield, Braves call up Verdugo |url=https://www.mlb.com/braves/news/alex-verdugo-called-up-to-braves |access-date=April 19, 2025 |publisher=MLB.com |date=April 17, 2025}}

Personal life

Verdugo and his partner, Yamille Alcala, have two sons, A.J. and Efrain, and a daughter, Alianna.[https://nypost.com/2024/02/24/sports/yankees-alex-verdugo-very-driven-for-a-career-year-with-third-historic-franchise/ Yankees’ Alex Verdugo ‘very driven’ for a career year with third historic franchise]{{cite news |url=https://nesn.com/2021/08/alex-verdugo-arrived-minutes-before-birth-of-child-after-leaving-red-sox/ |title=Alex Verdugo Arrived Five Minutes Before Birth Of Child After Leaving Red Sox |first=Jenna |last=Ciccotelli |website=NESN |date=August 10, 2021 |accessdate=August 13, 2021}}[https://www.sportskeeda.com/baseball/news-watch-yankees-alex-verdugo-hypes-son-displaying-raw-talent-batting-practice-family WATCH: Yankees' Alex Verdugo hypes up son displaying raw talent during batting practice with family]