Alexander Brady Verdugo Bio
Alexander Brady Verdugo is an American professional baseball outfielder who is a free agent. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, and Atlanta Braves. Verdugo was drafted in the second round of the 2014 MLB draft by the Los Angeles Dodgers and made his MLB debut in 2017. Throughout his career, he has established himself as a versatile outfielder known for his defensive skills and consistent hitting across multiple organizations. Verdugo has represented Mexico internationally in the World Baseball Classic, showcasing his commitment to his heritage while building a notable career in American professional baseball.
Early Life and Background
Alexander Brady Verdugo was born on May 15, 1996. His father, Joe Verdugo, hails from Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico, while his mother, Shelly, is originally from Minnesota. This binational background would later influence Verdugo’s international baseball career, as he chose to represent Mexico on the world stage. The family settled in Tucson, Arizona, where Verdugo attended Sahuaro High School.
During his high school years at Sahuaro, Verdugo developed into a promising baseball talent. His performance on the field attracted attention from Major League Baseball scouts and college programs alike. After graduating high school, Verdugo committed to play college baseball at Arizona State University, one of the premier baseball programs in the country. However, his professional dreams would take precedence over his collegiate plans when the Los Angeles Dodgers selected him in the 2014 MLB draft.
Path to Professional Baseball
The Los Angeles Dodgers selected Verdugo in the second round of the 2014 MLB draft, recognizing his potential as a future contributor to their organization. Verdugo chose to sign with the Dodgers and forgo his commitment to Arizona State University, beginning his professional career immediately. This decision marked the start of his journey through the minor leagues, where he would hone his skills and prove his worth as a professional athlete.
Verdugo’s transition to professional baseball was marked by rapid advancement through the Dodgers’ farm system. In his first professional season, he demonstrated his hitting ability by batting .347 in 49 games for the Arizona League Dodgers. His outstanding performance earned him post-season Arizona League All-Star honors and Baseball America Rookie League All-Star recognition. The organization quickly promoted him to the Single-A Great Lakes Loons to begin the 2015 season, where he continued to impress with a .295 batting average in 101 games.
Alexander Brady Verdugo Career
Los Angeles Dodgers Minor League Development (2014–2017)
Verdugo’s ascent through the Dodgers’ minor league system continued at an impressive pace. In 2015, after his strong showing with Great Lakes, he earned a late-season promotion to the High-A Rancho Cucamonga Quakes of the California League. In just 23 games with Rancho Cucamonga, he hit an extraordinary .385, further establishing his reputation as a pure hitter. That same season, he achieved the rare feat of hitting for the cycle in a game against the Lancaster JetHawks on August 27. His overall performance earned him the Dodgers’ minor league player of the year award.
The 2016 season saw Verdugo promoted to the Double-A Tulsa Drillers of the Texas League. He was selected as a starter for the mid-season all-star game and earned post-season all-star honors after hitting .273 with 13 home runs and 63 RBIs in 126 games. Following the regular season, he participated in the Arizona Fall League, representing the Glendale Desert Dogs. Verdugo also began his international baseball involvement, playing for the Mexico national team in an exhibition series in Japan in November.
Los Angeles Dodgers Breakthrough (2017–2019)
Verdugo began the 2017 season with the Triple-A Oklahoma City Dodgers, where he continued to dominate pitching. He was named a starter for the mid-season Pacific Coast League All-Star Game and was chosen to represent the World Team at the All-Star Futures Game, showcasing his talent among the top prospects in baseball. In 117 games for Oklahoma City, he hit .314, making it clear he was ready for major league competition.
On September 1, 2017, Verdugo received the call to the majors for the first time. He made his MLB debut as the starting center fielder that night against the San Diego Padres, going hitless in three at-bats with one walk. His first MLB hit came the following day, a single off Clayton Richard of the Padres. He hit his first major league home run on September 10 against Adam Ottavino of the Colorado Rockies. Though he played only 16 games in 2017 and was kept off the playoff roster as the Dodgers advanced to the World Series, his debut season provided a glimpse of his potential.
The 2018 season saw Verdugo split time between the Dodgers and Oklahoma City. He was selected to represent the Pacific Coast League at the Triple-A All-Star Game and earned post-season all-star honors. With the Dodgers, he appeared in 37 games, hitting .260, while he dominated at Triple-A with a .329 average. His preparation for a full-time role continued throughout the season.
On March 23, 2019, Verdugo was announced as a member of the Dodgers’ opening day roster, marking his official transition to a major league regular. He played 106 games for Los Angeles, posting a .294 batting average with 12 home runs and 44 RBIs. He handled center field duties while A. J. Pollock was injured but saw his playing time decrease upon Pollock’s return. Unfortunately, Verdugo was placed on the injured list on August 6 with an oblique strain and later suffered a back injury during a rehab assignment, which ended his season and kept him out of the playoffs.
Boston Red Sox Era (2020–2023)
On February 10, 2020, the Dodgers traded Verdugo to the Boston Red Sox as part of a blockbuster deal that sent Mookie Betts and David Price to Los Angeles, with the Dodgers acquiring Verdugo, Jeter Downs, and Connor Wong. This trade represented a significant change in Verdugo’s career, moving him from a championship-caliber Dodgers team to a Red Sox organization with its own rich tradition. During the shortened 2020 season, Verdugo established himself as a regular corner outfielder for Boston, appearing in 22 games in left field and 31 games in right field. He finished the season batting .308 with six home runs and 15 RBIs in 53 games. Notably, among all qualified major league outfielders, Verdugo had the best fielding percentage at .959.
The 2021 season proved to be one of Verdugo’s best. He played all three outfield positions and appeared in 146 regular-season games, batting .289 with 13 home runs and 63 RBIs. He also played 11 postseason games, batting .310 as the Red Sox advanced to the American League Championship Series. Late that season, Verdugo expressed interest in becoming a two-way player by 2023, though this goal would be complicated by health issues. Beginning in 2021, Verdugo started experiencing painful skin blistering, bleeding, and scabbing in his hands.
Verdugo returned as a corner outfielder in 2022, appearing in 150 games in the outfield and two at designated hitter. He batted .280 with 11 home runs and 74 RBIs. At the end of the season, Red Sox manager Alex Cora noted Verdugo’s ability to improve in baserunning and defensive aspects. In January 2023, Verdugo and the Red Sox agreed on a one-year contract avoiding salary arbitration. He batted .303 with five home runs and 31 RBIs through June 22 before being placed on the bereavement list, returning on June 27.
New York Yankees (2024)
On December 5, 2023, the Red Sox traded Verdugo to the New York Yankees in exchange for Richard Fitts, Greg Weissert, and Nicholas Judice. This move brought Verdugo to one of baseball’s most storied franchises. The 2024 season presented challenges for Verdugo, as he struggled at the plate and continued dealing with the hand skin issues that had plagued him since 2021. During the All-Star break, he submitted to allergy testing, which revealed he was 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 RBIs. His season ended on a dramatic note when he became the final out of the 2024 World Series, striking out against Walker Buehler as the Yankees fell to the Dodgers. After the season, he became a free agent.
Atlanta Braves (2025)
On March 20, 2025, Verdugo signed a one-year, $1.5 million contract with the Atlanta Braves. After missing spring training, he consented to being optioned to the Triple-A Gwinnett Stripers to begin the season and get into game shape. He joined the Braves’ active roster on April 17. Verdugo appeared in 56 games for Atlanta, slashing .239/.296/.289 with no home runs and 12 RBIs. On July 2, he was designated for assignment by the Braves and was released after clearing waivers on July 5, becoming a free agent once again.
Defensive Versatility and Playing Style
Throughout his career, Verdugo has been valued for his defensive versatility, capable of playing all three outfield positions. His best work came in center field and the corner spots, where his instincts and range made him a reliable defender. At his best, he combined solid contact-hitting ability with gap power, though his home run totals have remained moderate throughout his career. His career batting average of .270 demonstrates his consistent ability to put the ball in play.
Notable International Play
Verdugo represented Mexico in two World Baseball Classics, the 2017 and 2023 tournaments. His commitment to playing for Mexico reflects his family’s heritage, with his father originating from Sonora, Mexico. This international experience provided him with valuable playing time during the offseason and an opportunity to compete against the world’s best players while representing his cultural roots.
Alexander Brady Verdugo Career Statistics
Through the 2025 season, Verdugo has compiled career statistics that reflect his consistent presence in major league lineups. His career totals demonstrate his ability to be an average hitter with modest power numbers and solid run production across multiple organizations.
MLB Career Highlights
Verdugo’s most productive seasons came with the Boston Red Sox, where he combined for over 200 RBIs across four seasons. His best statistical year came in 2022 with 74 RBIs while playing 150 games. With the Dodgers, he showed promise as a contact hitter, particularly in 2019 when he hit .294 in 106 games. His brief tenure with the Yankees produced solid counting stats in a full season of 149 games. The 2025 season with Atlanta was his least productive, as he struggled to find his rhythm following the mid-season trade and release.
Minor League and Award Recognition
Prior to his MLB debut, Verdugo established himself as one of the Dodgers’ top prospects through impressive minor league performances. He was named the Dodgers’ minor league player of the year following his 2015 season and earned All-Star honors at multiple levels. His ability to hit for average and occasional power, combined with his defensive versatility, made him a valuable trade chip that eventually netted the Dodgers Mookie Betts and David Price from Boston.
| Statistic | Career Total |
|---|---|
| Batting Average | .270 |
| Home Runs | 70 |
| Runs Batted In | 328 |
Alexander Brady Verdugo Family
Family Background and Heritage
Verdugo’s family background has played a significant role in shaping both his personal identity and his baseball career. His father, Joe Verdugo, hails from Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico, while his mother, Shelly, is from Minnesota. This binational heritage became an important part of Verdugo’s identity when he chose to represent Mexico in international competition. His father’s Mexican roots provided the connection that led him to play for the Mexican national team in the World Baseball Classic.
Personal Life
Verdugo is in a relationship with Yamille Alcala. Together, they have two sons and a daughter, forming a family unit that has been a source of support throughout his baseball career. Verdugo has been relatively private about his family life, preferring to keep details about his children out of the public spotlight while acknowledging their importance in his life. The family has relocated multiple times as Verdugo has moved between teams, adapting to life in different cities across the country while maintaining stability for their children.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked a challenging chapter in Verdugo’s career as he joined the Atlanta Braves organization. Signed to a one-year, $1.5 million contract on March 20, Verdugo entered spring training behind schedule after missing the early portion while finalizing his deal. The Braves wisely assigned him to Triple-A Gwinnett to begin the season, allowing him to build game fitness and work through any rust from the abbreviated preparation. This patient approach reflected the organization’s belief in his ability to contribute once he was ready.
Verdugo joined the major league active roster on April 17, assuming a corner outfield role with the Braves. However, his performance never reached the levels teams had come to expect from him. In 56 games with Atlanta, he managed only a .239 batting average with a concerning .296 on-base percentage and a meager .289 slugging percentage. Most notably, he hit zero home runs and drove in just 12 runs, representing a significant drop in production from his career norms. These struggles suggested something was amiss, whether physically or mentally, as he could not replicate the consistent contact-hitting that had characterized his earlier career.
The Braves made the difficult decision to designate Verdugo for assignment on July 2, 2025, ending his tenure with the organization after just a few months. He cleared waivers and was released on July 5, once again becoming a free agent. The 2025 season served as a reminder of the volatility inherent in professional sports, where a player can go from contributing regularly to being let go within a matter of months. For Verdugo, this represented an opportunity to regroup, address any underlying issues, and pursue another opportunity to continue his major league career. His journey through five organizations in eight seasons demonstrates both his resilience and his ability to find teams willing to give him opportunities despite set backs.