Alex Verdugo

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Los Angeles Dodgers #2 prospect in 2019
  Track Record: Verudgo rose quickly after the Dodgers drafted him 62nd overall in 2014 and signed him for $914,600. He represented Mexico in the World Baseball Classic at age 20, reached the majors by 21 and had a chance for a larger role in his age-22 season last year, but the Dodgers' outfield glut forced him back to Triple-A. Verdugo finished fifth in the Pacific Coast League with a .329 average, and hit .260 over three callups with the Dodgers.
  
  Scouting Report: Verdugo is the purest hitter in the Dodgers system with a simple, balanced swing. He generates hard line drives to all fields and is extremely patient, recording nearly as many walks (86) as strikeouts (97) over the last two years. Verdugo's average home run power is mostly to his pull side, but he can drive the ball hard the other way too. Verdugo stays dialed in at the plate, but an indifferent attitude affects the rest of his game. He has average speed and gets good jumps in right field when he's focused, but he often isn't and lets balls drop that shouldn't. His slow motor also shows up on the bases, frustrating teammates and coaches alike.
  
  The Future: Verdugo has the potential to be high-average, moderate power outfielder like Nick Markakis, but only if he improves his effort. He'll try to secure regular at-bats with the Dodgers in 2019.
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  Ranked Los Angeles Dodgers #2 prospect in 2018
  Most teams liked Verdugo as a pitcher coming out of high school in 2014, but the Dodgers went against the grain and drafted him as a hitter. It proved prescient.Verdugo's bat carried him all the way to Triple-A by age 21, when he earned a September callup in 2017. Verdugo possesses a keen eye that led to more walks (52) than strikeouts (50) at Triple-A Oklahoma City, and he keeps it simple when he does get a pitch to hit. He has excellent rhythm and body control and a level, line-drive swing that allows him to drive the ball all over the field. He doesn't have much lift in his swing, but evaluators see enough strength and bat-to-ball skills to project about average power to go with a .290 or better average. Verdugo has average speed and it plays up in center field with good instincts and a quick first step. His best tool is his plus-plus, accurate arm. Verdugo's skills are undeniable, but criticisms of his effort level and maturity have plagued him since his amateur days and were again prevalent in 2017. Verdugo will have a chance to win a roster spot in 2018, but he will have to improve his focus and motor to reach his above-average, everyday potential.
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  Ranked Los Angeles Dodgers #4 prospect in 2017
  Other teams preferred Verdugo as a pitcher when he was a two-way player in high school, but the Dodgers' belief in his hitting ability has proven justified. Verdugo was pushed aggressively to Double-A in 2016, and he responded with a solid season as one of the youngest players in the Texas League. Verdugo has good rhythm and body control in the box, with some unorthodox elements to his swing but good plate coverage thanks to superb hand-eye coordination. He sets up with his hands close to his body and stays inside the ball well, shooting line drives to all fields. Verdugo recognizes offspeed pitches well and doesn't chase much. He has a strong build and good bat speed, though his swing lacks leverage for big power, and he projects to hit 15-20 home runs. Verdugo's fringe-average speed isn't ideal for center field, which is part of why his defense draws mixed reviews. There's universal praise for Verudgo's arm, which earns plus-plus grades for its strength and accuracy. Some scouts are concerned with his inconsistent motor, a complaint dating back to his prep days. With similarities to Melky Cabrera, Verdugo could develop into a solid-average regular. His next stop is Triple-A Oklahoma City with a chance to get to the big leagues after the all-star break.
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  Ranked Los Angeles Dodgers #7 prospect in 2016
  When other teams scouted Verdugo as a two-way player in high school, they mostly saw his future on the mound. The Dodgers disagreed with the industry consensus, drafting Verdguo in the second round in 2014 as an outfielder. That looks smart now after he hit well in his first full season, which he finished at high Class A Rancho Cucamonga. A combination of mental and mechanical adjustments helped Verdugo take a leap forward. Verdugo's lefty swing is quick, fluid and compact. Early in 2015 at low Class A Great Lakes, he added a leg kick to try to manufacture more power, but two months into the season he was struggling with his new mechanics and timing. He switched to a small toe tap to simplify his swing and hit more line drives, then took off in the second half. Verdugo is rhythmic hitter with good body control and hand-eye coordination. He hits to all fields with good bat-to-ball skills, recognizes spin and doesn't chase too much out of the zone, but he projects more as a doubles hitter than a home-run threat. He is thickly built with average speed, which isn't ideal for a center fielder, so he will train to be more explosive. Verdugo's best tool is his plus arm with precise accuracy that helped him collect 24 assists. Verdugo hit .363 over his final 300 plate appearances, positioning him for a return to the California League in 2016. He has a chance to be a solid-average regular.
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  Ranked Los Angeles Dodgers #5 prospect in 2015
  Verdugo was a two-way standout in high school, but other teams focused on his pro future on the mound. He had a fastball he could run into the low 90s with a potentially above-average slider, a nice delivery and the ability to throw strikes consistently. Verdugo preferred hitting, though, and the Dodgers also liked him in that role, signing him for $914,600 as a secondrounder in 2014. The early returns have been superb, with Verdugo raking in the Rookie-level Arizona League. He has a simple, repeatable swing with good bat speed and a mature hitting approach. He makes consistent contact, recognizes breaking pitches and doesn't chase much out of the zone, which makes him a threat to hit for a high batting average and draw plenty of walks. He has good balance and occasional power, working the gaps and hitting line drives to all fields. His above-average speed is surprising for his thick build, and his savvy on the basepaths helped him go 11-for-11 on steals in his pro debut. That speed and athleticism is enough to start in center field, though he projects to slow down and could end up in right field, where he has a plus arm. If hitting doesn't work out, Verdugo always has pitching as a fallback option, but that won't happen any time soon. He heads to low Class A Great Lakes in 2015.

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #55 prospect in 2014 draft
  Verdugo, BA's Preseason High School All-American utility player, entered the spring as the top two-way high school prospect in the class, though the consensus leaned toward him on the mound. He has had an uneven spring with blister issues that kept him out for a few weeks and questions about his effort level. His velocity has been in the 88-90 mph range with the ability to reach back for more when he wants it but dipping lower at times. Verdugo has two breaking balls, and the one with slider tilt shows above-average potential. The Arizona State commit also has a changeup that shows average potential. He has an easy delivery and is a strike-thrower who fills up the zone when pitching with focus. The ball jumps out of his hand, and hitters have a tough time picking it up. Scouts have not liked his body language or effort at times this season on the mound and have noted immature behavior. As a position player, Verdugo profiles as a corner outfielder with an above-average arm, below-average speed and hitting potential. Some teams believe he wants to go out as a hitter, but his professional future is definitely on the mound.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked Pacific Coast League #2 prospect in 2018
  The Dodgers’ outfield roster glut forced Verdugo back to Triple-A for a second straight year, and he bettered every part of his game. His batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, home run rate and stolen base rate all rose, and he also performed better in three callups to Los Angeles. Increased strength and better pitch selection were two catalysts behind Verdugo’s offensive improvement, and he began showing opposite-field power. He took a patient approach, covered all areas of the plate and drove all types of pitches on a line with a smooth, level swing. “I thought he controlled the strike zone better than anyone else and when he put a swing on it, it was always a good swing,” Fresno manager Rodney Linares said. “He was one of the more polished hitters I’ve seen.” Verdugo’s plus arm made him a threat on both sides of the ball, with nine outfield assists in 82 games. He handled all three outfield spots and showed good enough jumps in center field to overcome his average speed, though he still projects best in a corner. Verdugo’s main issue remains his effort level, which was average at its best and non-existent at its worst.
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  Ranked Pacific Coast League #4 prospect in 2017
  Verdugo added to his reputation as one of the more disciplined young hitters in the minors by finishing with more walks (52) than strikeouts (50) and cutting his strikeout rate down to 10 percent. The leap in home run power Verdugo showed at Double-A in 2016 with a career-high 13 longballs didn't carry over to this season, but he continued to hit for average by spraying the ball around and driving the gaps with 27 doubles and four triples. His swing doesn't feature much loft, so remaining sharp in center field will be imperative. Verdugo has speed despite his muscle-bound frame and a strong throwing arm, which allows him to profile in center in the majors.
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  Ranked Texas League #13 prospect in 2016
  Verdugo turns off many with his nontraditional hitting approach and his not-always-consistent effort in the outfield. But even those turned off by Verdugo wonder what he could be when the 20-year-old matures into a more well-rounded version of his current self. Verdugo has a top-of-the-scale arm that is just as accurate as it is powerful, and his ability to take good routes and reads make him a plus center fielder. His swing is unorthodox, and he doesn't generate power with his opposite-field heavy approach, but he makes a ton of contact and should be an above-average hitter.
• 
  Ranked Arizona Complex League #6 prospect in 2014
  Most organizations listed Verdugo as a lefthanded pitcher on their draft boards, as the Arizona State commit finished his high school career as a two-way player. The Dodgers took him as an outfielder, though, and the early returns supported their move when he ranked second in the league in batting (.347) and third in on-base percentage (.423). Verdugo hit consistently all season but especially elevated his game during the final weeks of the season with the Dodgers fighting for a playoff spot, hitting .406 with 10 extra-base hits in 21 August games. Verdugo's sweet lefthanded swing is a thing of beauty, for he shows good bat speed and an excellent knowledge of the strike zone. He doesn't swing at bad pitches, striking out just seven percent of the time. He drives balls into the gap but also possesses the strength to go over the fence. Verdugo plays a solid center field, and while his speed is no more than average, it plays up with his good jumps and positioning. He's also an intuitive runner who was successful in all eight of his stolen-base attempts. With an above-average and accurate arm, Verdugo could also handle a corner-outfield position.

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #35 prospect in 2019
• Ranked Baseball America's #37 prospect in 2018
• Ranked Baseball America's #58 prospect in 2017
• Ranked Baseball America's #100 prospect in 2016

• July, 2018 Scouting Report
  Verdugo remains a fantastically gifted hitter who added strength and began picking out better pitches to drive this season to increase his power output. His batting average and slugging percentage were on pace to be career highs in full-season ball, and his improvement was apparent in an early-season callup to Los Angeles. Defensively Verdugo plays a respectable center field, but inconsistent routes have most evaluators projecting him to a corner, where his cannon arm will be a potential game-changer. Despite pronouncements of increased maturity, Verdugo’s effort level and concentration on the field still receive negative reviews. The Dodgers acknowledge the criticisms but believe Verdugo is improving.
• December, 2017 Scouting Report
  Track Record: Most teams liked Verdugo as a pitcher coming out of high school in 2014, but the Dodgers went against the grain and drafted him as a hitter. It proved prescient. Verdugo's bat carried him all the way to Triple-A by age 21, when he earned a September callup in 2017. Scouting Report: Verdugo possesses a keen eye that led to more walks (52) than strikeouts (50) at Triple-A Oklahoma City, and he keeps it simple when he does get a pitch to hit. He has excellent rhythm and body control and a level, line-drive swing that allows him to drive the ball all over the field. He doesn't have much lift in his swing, but evaluators see enough strength and bat-to-ball skills to project about average power to go with a .290 or better average. Verdugo has average speed and it plays up in center field with good instincts and a quick first step. His best tool is his plus-plus, accurate arm. Verdugo's skills are undeniable, but criticisms of his effort level and maturity have plagued him since his amateur days and were again prevalent in 2017. The Future: Verdugo will have a chance to win a roster spot in 2018, but he will have to improve his focus and motor to reach his above-average potential.
• December, 2016 Scouting Report
  Background: Other teams preferred Verdugo as a pitcher when he was a two-way player in high school, but the Dodgers' belief in his hitting ability has proven justified. Verdugo was pushed aggressively to Double-A in 2016, and he responded with a solid season as one of the youngest players in the Texas League. Scouting Report: Verdugo has good rhythm and body control in the box, with some unorthodox elements to his swing but good plate coverage thanks to superb hand-eye coordination. He sets up with his hands close to his body and stays inside the ball well, shooting line drives to all fields. Verdugo recognizes offspeed pitches well and doesn't chase much. He has a strong build and good bat speed, though his swing lacks leverage for big power, and he projects to hit 15-20 home runs. Verdugo's fringe-average speed isn't ideal for center field, which is part of why his defense draws mixed reviews. There's universal praise for Verudgo's arm, which earns plus-plus grades for its strength and accuracy. Some scouts are concerned with his inconsistent motor, a complaint dating back to his prep days.
  
  The Future: With similarities to Melky Cabrera, Verdugo could develop into a solid-average regular. His next stop is Triple-A Oklahoma City with a chance to get to the big leagues after the all-star break.