Alex Verdugo Bio
Alexander Brady Verdugo, born on May 15, 1996, is an American professional baseball outfielder who is currently a free agent. Over the course of his Major League Baseball (MLB) career, Verdugo has played for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, and Atlanta Braves. Selected in the second round of the 2014 MLB draft, he reached the majors in 2017 and has been recognized for his contact hitting, defensive reliability in the outfield, and his decision to represent Mexico in international competition.
Early Life and Background
Verdugo was raised in a bicultural household that helped shape his identity as both an American and a representative of Mexican baseball heritage. His father, Joe Verdugo, is from Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico, while his mother, Shelly, is from Minnesota. That family background gave Verdugo ties to two baseball cultures and influenced his later choice to play for the Mexican national team.
Verdugo attended Sahuaro High School in Tucson, Arizona, where he developed into a polished hitter and a dependable outfielder. His performance at Sahuaro drew attention from MLB scouts and led to scholarship interest from college programs. Instead of honoring a commitment to play college baseball at Arizona State University, Verdugo signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers after being selected in the 2014 MLB draft, choosing the professional path at a young age.
Path to Professional Baseball
Verdugo’s path through the Dodgers’ minor league system began in the Arizona League, where he batted .347 in 49 games and earned postseason Arizona League All-Star and Baseball America Rookie League All-Star honors. He was promoted to Single-A Great Lakes for 2015, hit .295 over 101 games, and was again named to the postseason all-star team before a late-season promotion to High-A Rancho Cucamonga, where he batted .385 in 23 games and hit for the cycle against the Lancaster JetHawks on August 27. The Dodgers named him the organization’s minor league player of the year.
In 2016, Verdugo moved up to Double-A Tulsa, where he batted .273 with 13 home runs and 63 RBIs in 126 games and earned midseason and postseason Texas League all-star recognition. He also suited up for the Glendale Desert Dogs in the Arizona Fall League and represented Mexico in an exhibition series in Japan, building toward a spot on Mexico’s 2017 World Baseball Classic roster. He began 2017 with Triple-A Oklahoma City, was named a starter for the Pacific Coast League All-Star Game, and represented the world team at the All-Star Futures Game before his September promotion to the majors.
Alex Verdugo Career
Early Career (2017–2018)
Verdugo made his MLB debut on September 1, 2017, starting in center field for the Dodgers against the San Diego Padres. He recorded his first major league hit, a single, off Clayton Richard the following night and hit his first home run off Adam Ottavino of the Colorado Rockies on September 10. Although he was kept off the Dodgers’ playoff roster for the 2017 World Series run, his cup of 16 games gave Los Angeles a look at a young outfielder with a smooth left-handed swing.
In 2018, Verdugo split time between Oklahoma City and Los Angeles, hitting .260 in 37 big league games and .329 in Triple-A, while earning Pacific Coast League All-Star recognition. The Dodgers viewed him as a cornerstone outfield piece, and his development through the minor leagues positioned him for a full-time role the following season.
Los Angeles Dodgers Breakthrough (2019)
Verdugo was announced as a member of the Dodgers’ 2019 Opening Day roster on March 23 and became a regular contributor, appearing in 106 games and batting .294 with 12 home runs and 44 RBIs. He took over center field duties while A. J. Pollock was sidelined and showcased an all-fields approach at the plate along with steady defense across the outfield.
An oblique strain in early August, followed by a back injury during a rehab assignment, ended his season and kept him out of the Dodgers’ playoff run. Despite the injury, his 2019 production cemented his value as a young everyday outfielder heading into trade discussions.
Boston Red Sox Era (2020–2023)
On February 10, 2020, the Dodgers traded Verdugo, Jeter Downs, and Connor Wong to the Boston Red Sox in exchange for Mookie Betts, David Price, and cash considerations. In the start-delayed 2020 season, Verdugo was a regular corner outfielder and batted .308 with six home runs and 15 RBIs in 53 games, posting the best fielding percentage (.959) among qualified major league outfielders. He continued as a fixture in 2021, playing 146 games and hitting .289 with 13 home runs and 63 RBIs, and added a strong .310 postseason average over 11 games as Boston reached the American League Championship Series.
Verdugo remained a corner outfielder in 2022, appearing in 150 outfield games plus two at designated hitter, and batted .280 with 11 home runs and 74 RBIs. On January 13, 2023, he and Boston agreed to a one-year contract to avoid salary arbitration, and he batted .303 with five home runs and 31 RBIs through June 22, 2023, before a bereavement list stint. He also drew attention for expressing a desire to develop as a two-way player, and he began publicly dealing with skin issues affecting his hands beginning in 2021.
New York Yankees Era (2024)
On December 5, 2023, the Red Sox traded Verdugo to the New York Yankees for Richard Fitts, Greg Weissert, and Nicholas Judice. After a slow start to 2024 and continued discomfort in his hands, Verdugo underwent an allergy test during the All-Star break and was diagnosed with an allergy to the cobalt and chromate in his batting gloves. He played 149 games for the Yankees, batting .233 with 13 home runs and 61 RBIs.
Verdugo was the final out of the 2024 World Series, striking out against Walker Buehler. Following the season, he became a free agent.
Atlanta Braves Era (2025)
On March 20, 2025, Verdugo signed a one-year, $1.5 million contract with the Atlanta Braves. He consented to an assignment at Triple-A Gwinnett to build conditioning after missing spring training and joined the Braves’ active roster on April 17. In 56 games with Atlanta, he slashed .239/.296/.289 with no home runs and 12 RBIs. The Braves designated him for assignment on July 2 and released him on July 5 after he cleared waivers.
Notable Events and Milestones
Verdugo’s most prominent career moments include his 2019 emergence as an everyday outfielder for the Dodgers, his role in Boston’s run to the 2021 American League Championship Series, and his status as the final out of the 2024 World Series. He also represented Mexico in the 2017 and 2023 World Baseball Classics, reinforcing his family’s Mexican heritage on a global stage.
Alex Verdugo Family
Family Background and Baseball Lineage
Verdugo’s family ties span the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. His father, Joe, is from Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico, and his mother, Shelly, is from Minnesota, giving Alex a bicultural upbringing. Those roots shaped his decision to commit to the Mexican national team and to represent Mexico in the World Baseball Classic.
Personal Life
Verdugo is in a relationship with his partner, Yamille Alcala, and the couple has two sons and a daughter. The family has been a regular presence throughout his stops in Los Angeles, Boston, New York, and Atlanta, and Verdugo took a brief paternity leave during the 2021 season while with the Red Sox.
2025 Season Performance
Verdugo’s 2025 campaign began with a one-year, $1.5 million deal with the Atlanta Braves on March 20, followed by a Triple-A conditioning stint at Gwinnett to regain timing after missing spring training. After joining the major league roster on April 17, he appeared in 56 games and posted a .239/.296/.289 slash line with no home runs and 12 RBIs, never finding the power stroke that had marked his earlier seasons.
His offensive production did not meet the Braves’ expectations, and on July 2, 2025, Atlanta designated Verdugo for assignment before releasing him on July 5 after he cleared waivers. He re-entered the open market with limited 2025 results and a need to find a new club for the remainder of the year, and his outlook for the back half of the 2025 season hinges on securing a depth or platoon role with another organization.