How Ex-Red Sox Alex Verdugo Has Performed Since Call-Up With Braves

Former Boston Red Sox outfielder Alex Verdugo has been making the most of his latest big league opportunity, now as a member of the Atlanta Braves.

Verdugo spent most of free agency with cricket-silent interest generated after the 28-year-old’s one-year run with the New York Yankees. Minimal traction took off with the Kansas City Royals and Pittsburgh Pirates linked to Verdugo, which allowed the Braves to swoop in and take a flier on a one-year minor league contract with Verdugo. There wasn’t an immediate opening on the big league roster, but the timing proved to be perfect once Atlanta hit panic mode with 2024 All-Star Jurickson Profar.

Profar’s 80-game PED suspension opened the door for Verdugo, even though it wasn’t earned — Verdugo was hitting .207 across 29 at-bats in Triple-A to begin the campaign. But the Braves didn’t have a plethora of options to choose from either, and so far, the call-up has paid dividends both to Atlanta and Verdugo’s confidence.

“It feels good,” Verdugo said following Saturday night’s 4-3 Braves victory over the Minnesota Twins, per ESPN. “Obviously, being at the top of the lineup, kind of instantly thrown into it, get on base, have good at-bats, things like that. And I think for me it feels good to get some hits.”

Verdugo got off to a slow start upon being promoted, as the nine-year veteran went 0-for-5 in his Braves debut. Surprisingly, it wasn’t a concrete indicator of what Verdugo would provide from the lead-off spot moving forward, as immediately after the debut dud, Verdugo caught fire — and he’s maintained it. Verdugo has hit .400 with 14 hits — including five doubles — six RBIs and six runs across his following eight games.

It’s been a red-hot run that’s given the Braves exactly what they needed.

Atlanta has gone 6-2 since Verdugo’s offensive eruption, and it’s helped the team weather its ice-cold start to the season. The Braves currently sit at 13-15, third in the National League East and only 6 1/2 games back of the division-leading New York Mets.

Braves manager Brian Snitker, too, has taken notice of Verdugo’s impact and contributions to the lineup since being called up.

“Just professional at-bats, good at-bats, which he’s done already,” Snitker said, per ESPN. “… It’s kind of why we’re excited about getting him here.”

Verdugo was an American League Gold Glove Award finalist for his defensive work in left field last season. That was the left-handed hitter’s only stride, and it backfired once it became time for Verdugo to seek employment with a new club. Verdugo slashed .233/.291/.356 with 13 home runs and 61 RBIs over 149 games with the Yankees, and even though they reached the World Series, New York expressed zero interest in retaining Verdugo when free agency opened.

It was a bleak start to Verdugo’s transition from the Bronx to his next destination, but the ex-Red Sox headache might’ve undergone the humbling experience necessary to come to grips with reality and get back on track in Atlanta.