Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Alex Verdugo

How Alex Verdugo built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Alex Verdugo is an American professional baseball outfielder currently playing for the Atlanta Braves in MLB. Prior to joining the Braves, he played for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Boston Red Sox, and New York Yankees. He is known for his skills as an outfielder in Major League Baseball.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

2014: Signed with the Dodgers

In 2014, Alex Verdugo signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers after being drafted and forgoing his commitment to Arizona State University. He played 49 games for the Arizona League Dodgers, hitting .347, and received post-season Arizona League All-Star and Baseball America Rookie league All-Star honors.

2015: Minor League Assignments and Awards

In 2015, Alex Verdugo was assigned to the Single-A Great Lakes Loons and selected to the post-season all-star team after hitting .295 in 101 games. He was also promoted to the High-A Rancho Cucamonga Quakes and hit .385 in 23 games, hitting for the cycle against the Lancaster JetHawks on August 27. He was named the Dodgers' minor league player of the year.

2016: Promotion to Double-A and All-Star Selection

In 2016, Alex Verdugo was promoted to the Double-A Tulsa Drillers, where he was selected as a starter for the mid-season all-star game and named to the post-season all-star team. He had a .273 batting average in 126 games, hitting 13 home runs with 63 RBIs. He also played for the Mexico national baseball team in an exhibition series in Japan in November.

September 1, 2017: MLB Debut

On September 1, 2017, Alex Verdugo was promoted to the major leagues and made his MLB debut as the starting center fielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers against the San Diego Padres. He was hitless in three at-bats but had three walks.

2017: Oklahoma City Dodgers and All-Star Futures Game

In 2017, Alex Verdugo began the season with the Oklahoma City Dodgers and was named as a starter for the mid-season Pacific Coast League all-star team and chosen to represent the world team at the All-Star Futures Game. He hit .314 in 117 games for Oklahoma City.

2017: MLB Debut and World Baseball Classic

In 2017, Alex Verdugo made his MLB debut with the Los Angeles Dodgers and also committed to represent the Mexican national team, being called up for the 2017 World Baseball Classic.

March 23, 2019: Opening Day Roster

On March 23, 2019, Alex Verdugo was announced as a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers' opening day roster.

2019: Traded to the Red Sox

After the 2019 season, Alex Verdugo was traded from the Los Angeles Dodgers to the Boston Red Sox.

February 10, 2020: Trade to the Red Sox

On February 10, 2020, Alex Verdugo, Jeter Downs, and Connor Wong were traded by the Los Angeles Dodgers to the Boston Red Sox in exchange for Mookie Betts, David Price, and cash considerations.

2021: Regular Outfielder and Paternity List

In 2021, Alex Verdugo was a regular member of the Boston Red Sox outfield, playing all three positions. He was placed on the paternity list on August 8 and returned on August 13. He played in 146 regular-season games, batting .289 with 13 home runs and 63 RBIs, and 11 postseason games, batting .310 as the Red Sox advanced to the American League Championship Series.

January 13, 2023: Contract Agreement with Red Sox

On January 13, 2023, the Red Sox and Alex Verdugo reached an agreement on a one-year contract, avoiding salary arbitration.

December 5, 2023: Traded to the Yankees

On December 5, 2023, the Boston Red Sox traded Alex Verdugo to the New York Yankees for Richard Fitts, Greg Weissert, and Nicholas Judice.

2024: Allergy Diagnosis and Free Agency

In 2024, after struggling at the beginning of the season, Alex Verdugo underwent an allergy test during the All-Star break and was found to be allergic to cobalt and chromate in his batting gloves. He played in 149 games for the Yankees, batting .233/.291/.356 with 13 home runs and 61 RBI, and became a free agent after the season.

2024: Traded to the Yankees

Prior to the 2024 season, Alex Verdugo was traded to the New York Yankees.

March 20, 2025: Signed with Atlanta Braves

On March 20, 2025, Alex Verdugo signed a one-year, $1.5 million contract with the Atlanta Braves and agreed to be optioned to the Triple-A Gwinnett Stripers to start the season to ramp up after missing most of spring training.