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 a professional baseball outfielder currently playing for the Atlanta Braves in MLB. Previously, he played for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Boston Red Sox, and New York Yankees. He is an American athlete known for his outfield skills in professional baseball.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

2014: Drafted by the Dodgers

In 2014, the Los Angeles Dodgers selected Verdugo in the second round of the Major League Baseball draft and he signed with them, foregoing his commitment to play college baseball at Arizona State University.

2015: Single-A and High-A Assignments

In 2015, Verdugo was assigned to the Single-A Great Lakes Loons and was selected to the post-season all-star team after hitting .295 in 101 games. He received a late season promotion to the High-A Rancho Cucamonga Quakes 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. He was named the organization's minor league player of the year.

2016: Promotion to Double-A Tulsa Drillers

In 2016, Verdugo was promoted to the Double-A Tulsa Drillers of the Texas League, 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 for the Drillers and hit 13 home runs with 63 RBIs. Verdugo 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, Verdugo was promoted to the majors for the first time 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 with one walk.

2017: MLB Debut with Dodgers and Commitment to Team Mexico

In 2017, Verdugo made his MLB debut with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Also in 2017, he committed to represent the Mexican national team and was called up for the 2017 World Baseball Classic.

2017: All-Star Selection and World Baseball Classic

Verdugo began 2017 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. In 117 games for Oklahoma City, he hit .314. He also played in the 2017 World Baseball Classic.

2018: Triple-A All-Star and Dodgers Appearance

In 2018, Verdugo was selected to represent the Pacific Coast League at the Triple-A All-Star Game and was also selected to the post-season all-star team. He appeared in 37 games for the Dodgers, hitting .260 while spending most of the season with Oklahoma City, where he hit .329.

March 23, 2019: Dodgers Opening Day Roster

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

2019: Traded to Red Sox

After the 2019 season, Alex Verdugo was traded to the Boston Red Sox.

February 10, 2020: Traded to the Red Sox

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

2021: Regular Outfield Role and Paternity Leave

In 2021, Verdugo became 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. Beginning in 2021, Verdugo started experiencing blistering, bleeding, scabbing and pain in his hands.

2022: Corner Outfielder for Boston

In 2022, Verdugo returned as a corner outfielder for Boston, appearing in 150 games in the outfield and two at designated hitter. He batted .280 with 11 home runs and 74 RBIs.

January 13, 2023: Contract Agreement with Red Sox

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

December 5, 2023: Traded to the Yankees

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

2023: Areas of improvement highlighted

At the end of the 2022 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."

2023: Desire to become a two-way player

Late in the 2021 season, Verdugo expressed his desire to become a two-way player by the 2023 season, but not to the extent of "Shohei Ohtani where he is starting and all that".

2024: Allergy diagnosis and Yankees Season

After struggling to start the 2024 season and continuing to experience skin issues, Verdugo submitted to an allergy test and was determined to be 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. After the season, he became a free agent.

2024: Traded to Yankees

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

March 20, 2025: Signed with the Braves

On March 20, 2025, Verdugo signed a one-year, $1.5 million contract with the Atlanta Braves. 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.