Alex Verdugo Bio
Alexander Brady Verdugo, known professionally as Alex Verdugo, is an American professional baseball outfielder. Born on May 15, 1996, he has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, and Atlanta Braves. A second-round pick in the 2014 MLB draft, Verdugo made his major league debut with the Dodgers in 2017. He is also a veteran of the World Baseball Classic, representing Mexico on the international stage.
Known for his smooth left-handed swing and steady outfield play, Verdugo has built a reputation as a reliable contact hitter across multiple organizations. He is currently a free agent after his most recent stint in the majors.
Early Life and Background
Alexander Brady Verdugo was born on May 15, 1996, and grew up in a household with strong ties to both Mexico and the American Midwest. His father, Joe Verdugo, is originally from Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico, while his mother, Shelly, is from Minnesota. This dual heritage helped shape Verdugo’s decision to represent Mexico in international baseball competition.
Verdugo attended Sahuaro High School in Tucson, Arizona, where he developed into one of the top outfield prospects in the country. His performance on the high school circuit drew the attention of Major League scouts, and he ultimately committed to play college baseball at Arizona State University before being selected in the 2014 draft.
Path to Professional Baseball
The Los Angeles Dodgers selected Verdugo in the second round of the 2014 MLB draft, convincing him to forgo his commitment to Arizona State. He signed quickly and began his professional career that summer with the Arizona League Dodgers, where he hit .347 in 49 games and earned post-season Arizona League All-Star honors along with Baseball America Rookie League All-Star recognition.
Verdugo progressed steadily through the minor leagues, reaching Single-A Great Lakes in 2015 and posting a .295 average over 101 games before a late-season promotion to High-A Rancho Cucamonga. In 2016, he advanced to Double-A Tulsa, where he batted .273 with 13 home runs and 63 RBIs across 126 games. By 2017, he was producing at a .314 clip in Triple-A Oklahoma City and earned a spot in the All-Star Futures Game, paving the way for his big-league call-up.
Alex Verdugo Career
Early Career (2017-2018)
Verdugo reached the majors for the first time on September 1, 2017, starting in center field against the San Diego Padres. He collected his first hit the following day, a single off Clayton Richard, and launched his first major league home run on September 10 against Colorado’s Adam Ottavino. Used sparingly down the stretch, he appeared in 16 games and finished his debut season batting .174.
In 2018, Verdugo split the year between Oklahoma City and Los Angeles, hitting .329 in Triple-A and .260 in 37 games with the Dodgers. His combination of on-base skills and defensive versatility in all three outfield spots established him as a prospect on the cusp of an everyday role.
Los Angeles Dodgers Breakthrough (2019)
Verdugo cracked the Dodgers’ opening day roster on March 23, 2019, and seized the opportunity when A. J. Pollock went down with an injury. He played center field regularly during the first half of the season and finished the year with a .294 batting average, 12 home runs, and 44 RBIs across 106 games. An oblique strain in August, followed by a back injury during his rehab assignment, ended his season and kept him out of the playoffs.
Boston Red Sox Era (2020-2023)
On February 10, 2020, the Dodgers traded Verdugo, Jeter Downs, and Connor Wong to the Boston Red Sox as part of the package that brought Mookie Betts and David Price to Los Angeles. Thrust immediately into a starting role, Verdugo batted .308 with six home runs and 15 RBIs in the shortened 2020 campaign and led qualified major league outfielders with a .959 fielding percentage.
He became a fixture in the Red Sox outfield over the next three seasons, playing all three spots in 2021 and posting a .289 average with 13 home runs and 63 RBIs in 146 games. In 2022, he appeared in 150 games in the outfield and batted .280 with 11 home runs and 74 RBIs. He began 2023 strongly, hitting .303 through late June before a bereavement list stint interrupted his year.
New York Yankees Era (2024)
On December 5, 2023, Boston traded Verdugo to the New York Yankees for Richard Fitts, Greg Weissert, and Nicholas Judice. His 2024 season was a struggle at the plate, as he battled ongoing skin issues in his hands that had plagued him since 2021. An allergy test during the All-Star break revealed a reaction to the cobalt and chromate in his batting gloves.
Despite the difficulties, Verdugo played in 149 games and batted .233 with 13 home runs and 61 RBIs. He also became a memorable footnote in Yankees postseason history when he struck out against Walker Buehler for the final out of the 2024 World Series.
Atlanta Braves Era (2025)
On March 20, 2025, Verdugo signed a one-year, $1.5 million contract with the Atlanta Braves. He agreed to begin the year at Triple-A Gwinnett to build up his conditioning after missing spring training, then joined the active roster on April 17. In 56 games with Atlanta, he slashed .239/.296/.289 with no home runs and 12 RBIs before being designated for assignment on July 2 and released on July 5 after clearing waivers.
Notable Events and Milestones
Verdugo has represented Mexico in the 2017 and 2023 World Baseball Classics, helping elevate his profile as an international player. He was the final out of the 2024 World Series as a member of the Yankees, a high-profile moment in his career. He also became a father of two sons and a daughter with his partner, Yamille Alcala, during his time in the majors.
Alex Verdugo Career Highlights
Through the 2025 season, Verdugo has accumulated a .270 career batting average, 70 home runs, and 328 RBIs across his stints with the Dodgers, Red Sox, Yankees, and Braves. His most productive season came in 2022 with Boston, when he set career highs in games played and RBIs. He has also added consistent outfield defense, highlighted by his league-leading .959 fielding percentage among outfielders in 2020.
Alex Verdugo Family
Family Background and Heritage
Verdugo’s father, Joe, was born in Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico, giving Alex a direct connection to Mexican heritage that influenced his choice to play for Mexico in international competition. His mother, Shelly, is from Minnesota. The blend of Mexican and American roots has been a defining part of his identity as a player.
Personal Life
Verdugo is in a long-term relationship with Yamille Alcala, his partner and the mother of his children. The couple has two sons and a daughter. Family milestones have occasionally intersected with his career, including a paternity list placement in 2021 and a bereavement list stint in 2023.
2025 Season Performance
Verdugo opened 2025 by signing a one-year deal with the Atlanta Braves and accepting a Triple-A assignment to Gwinnett. He rejoined the major league roster in mid-April and served as a left-handed bat in Atlanta’s outfield mix. Across 56 games with the Braves, he slashed .239/.296/.289 with no home runs and 12 RBIs.
Atlanta designated him for assignment on July 2 and released him on July 5 after he cleared waivers. With the 2025 season behind him, Verdugo is once again a free agent evaluating his next opportunity in professional baseball.
