Luis Verdugo Stats & Scouting Report

AB	54
AVG	.315
OBP	.345
SLG	.519
HR	2

Full name Luis Roberto Verdugo
Born 10/12/2000 in La Paz, BCS, Mexico
Profile Ht.: 6'0" / Wt.: 160 / Bats: R / Throws: R

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

TRACK RECORD: The Cubs paid $1.2 million to the Mexico City Red Devils for the rights to sign Verdugo in 2017, continuing the club's scouting push into Mexico. Verdugo struggled in his first year after signing, but he rebounded with a strong year in the Rookie-level Arizona League in 2019 and was targeted by other clubs at the 2020 trade deadline.

SCOUTING REPORT: Verdugo's main draw is his bat. He is a mature hitter with a selective approach and solid bat speed. He has a lot of moving parts in his swing and gets streaky when he falls in and out of sync, but at his best he controls the strike zone, rarely strikes out and drives the ball hard to all fields. Verdugo signed as a shortstop but projects to move to third base as he fills out. He has solid actions in the field and throws well from varied angles on the run, although he occasionally plays too fast and makes errors as a result.

THE FUTURE: Verdugo has a chance to hit for average and power as an everyday third baseman. He is many years from that ceiling, however, and will aim to make his full-season debut in 2021.
Track Record: The Cubs have dipped into Mexico frequently recently, signing lefty Jose Albertos in 2015 and then again in 2017 to nab Verdugo for $1.2 million. Verdugo played on the Mexican national team as a 15-year-old, and performed well as a member of the Mexico City Red Devils against older competition. He ranked No. 17 among the Arizona League's Top 20 prospects.

Scouting Report: Despite poor numbers, scouts in the Arizona League loved Verdugo for his athleticism and projection. His swing has a busy load and a bit of hitch with his hands, but he's showed the ability to get the barrel to the baseball when his swing is on time. He shows power in batting practice, and evaluators believe it will start to show up more often in games thanks to his ability to whip the bat through the zone with above-average speed, the natural loft to his swing and the likelihood that he will get stronger. He's a sound defender at shortstop already with a strong internal clock and quick reactions. He's got a plus throwing arm but below-average speed.

The Future: Verdugo played all year at 17 years old and will likely return to the AZL for more seasoning in 2019. He has the upside of an everyday regular at shortstop with above-average power.

Minor League Top Prospects

Verdugo signed with the Cubs for a $1.2 million bonus in 2017, with 25 percent of that total going to the player and the rest to the Mexican League team that held his rights --- a process that has now been suspended by Major League Baseball. The 17-year-old right-handed hitting shortstop made his pro debut this summer, and while his offensive numbers weren't impressive scouts were equally enthused about Verdugo's future ceiling. He has a good feel for the strike zone and started showing more pull power later in the summer, projecting to be a power over hit tool type especially as the body gets stronger. While a below-average runner, Verdugo covers plenty of ground at shortstop with good actions and easy, low effort. A plus arm ensures that he can stay on the left side of the infield even if he outgrows shortstop. What stood out for Cubs manager Jonathan Mota was Verdugo's internal clock on defense and the ability to separate hitting and defense, impressive traits for his age.

Best Tools List

Rated Best Infield Arm in the Chicago Cubs in 2020
Rated Best Infield Arm in the Chicago Cubs in 2019

Scouting Reports

TRACK RECORD: The Cubs paid $1.2 million to the Mexico City Red Devils for the rights to sign Verdugo in 2017, continuing the club's scouting push into Mexico. Verdugo struggled in his first year after signing, but he rebounded with a strong year in the Rookie-level Arizona League in 2019 and was targeted by other clubs at the 2020 trade deadline.

SCOUTING REPORT: Verdugo's main draw is his bat. He is a mature hitter with a selective approach and solid bat speed. He has a lot of moving parts in his swing and gets streaky when he falls in and out of sync, but at his best he controls the strike zone, rarely strikes out and drives the ball hard to all fields. Verdugo signed as a shortstop but projects to move to third base as he fills out. He has solid actions in the field and throws well from varied angles on the run, although he occasionally plays too fast and makes errors as a result.

THE FUTURE: Verdugo has a chance to hit for average and power as an everyday third baseman. He is many years from that ceiling, however, and will aim to make his full-season debut in 2021.
TRACK RECORD: The Cubs paid $1.2 million to the Mexico City Red Devils for the rights to sign Verdugo in 2017, continuing the club's scouting push into Mexico. Verdugo struggled in his first year after signing, but he rebounded with a strong year in the Rookie-level Arizona League in 2019 and was targeted by other clubs at the 2020 trade deadline.

SCOUTING REPORT: Verdugo's main draw is his bat. He is a mature hitter with a selective approach and solid bat speed. He has a lot of moving parts in his swing and gets streaky when he falls in and out of sync, but at his best he controls the strike zone, rarely strikes out and drives the ball hard to all fields. Verdugo signed as a shortstop but projects to move to third base as he fills out. He has solid actions in the field and throws well from varied angles on the run, although he occasionally plays too fast and makes errors as a result.

THE FUTURE: Verdugo has a chance to hit for average and power as an everyday third baseman. He is many years from that ceiling, however, and will aim to make his full-season debut in 2021.