MLB Prospect Preview: Alex Verdugo
Photo: theathletic.com
There’s eight weeks left until Major League Baseball is back upon us. If you haven’t been following, as each week counts down, I post a preview of one of the top MLB prospects that are primed to make a splash in the league this upcoming season. Each of the players I highlight are players I feel confident that every baseball fan should be aware of. So far I’ve previewed Forrest Whitley, Keston Hiura, Mike Soroka, and Peter Alonso. Now I’ll take a look at Alex Verdugo, who is certain to see plenty of time this year in the City of Angels.
Photo: Gary A. Vasquez/USA Today Sports
Alex Verdugo
OF
Los Angeles Dodgers
There has been a lot of trade speculation the last 4-5 months surrounding Alex Verdugo, but as of right now, he’s still with the Los Angeles Dodgers. I believe if the Dodgers were going to trade him, they would have already, and the fact he is still with the club speaks to how much potential the Dodgers see in him. That’s for good reason. Verdugo is listed as MLB’s #35 overall prospect according to last week’s annually published list, and the Dodgers’ #1 prospect. The first thing you should know about him is his pure hitting ability. Just a handful of MLB prospects have the same 65 (or higher) scouting grade for hitting ability.
Alex Verdugo was drafted in the 2nd round by the Dodgers in the 2014 draft and has played five minor league seasons in their farm system. Across those five seasons, he has combined to hit for a .309 average in the minors, which is very impressive and shows he is consistent. During his time in Triple-A, (208 total games from the 2017 and ’18 seasons) he hit an impressive .321, so he didn’t inflate his total average in Single-A ball. He has a very good eye, showcased by his 11% strikeout rate throughout the minors. In 2017 and 2018, he received a small sampling of the majors, compiling 52 at-bats and hitting .240. Once he’s in an everyday role with the Dodgers, Verdugo will be a gap-to-gap hitter, who will pile up numbers in the “extra-base hit” category. Look for him to have average power in the majors, hitting somewhere between 15-20 home runs each season.
With all the excitement about Alex Verdugo’s bat, it’s actually his arm that has the best scouting grade. He grades out at a 70 in that category, and for those of you who don’t understand the grading scale, it means he has an absolute cannon. As a pitcher in high school who touched 94 mph, Verdugo decided he wanted to forego pitching and be an everyday player. Runners will surely beware when rounding 3rd base and a throw is coming from right field. Unlike many other top prospects who will break into the big leagues either after the 2-week window after the season begins, or later in the year, Alex Verdugo should start the season with the Dodgers. He has nothing left to prove in the minors and would be a great fit to replace the departed Yasiel Puig. Look for him to be in the opening day lineup against the Diamondbacks in LA.
Garett