Shortly after being drafted in the second round in 2014, Alex Verdugo became one of the highly-touted prospects in the Los Angeles Dodgers organization.
Verdugo made his MLB debut in 2017, but it wasn’t until 2019 that he became a full-time Major League player and won over the L.A. fan base by hitting .294/.342/.475 with 12 home runs and 44 RBI in 106 games before suffering a back injury that wound up ending his season.
While it wasn’t known at the time, the Dodgers’ Aug. 4 game against the San Diego Padres will end up being the last that Verdugo plays in the organization. He was recently traded to the Boston Red Sox as a part of the blockbuster deal that sent Mookie Betts and David Price to L.A.
Verdugo was the headliner of the package going back to Boston that also included prospects Jeter Downs and Connor Wong. In a second trade, the Dodgers also sent Kenta Maeda and another prospect to the Minnesota Twins for Brusdar Graterol, Luke Raley and a draft pick.
The Boston trade was the biggest that Andrew Friedman has made in his tenure as president of baseball operations, and it has reinvigorated the Dodgers’ fanbase as they get ready for the 2020 season.
The Dodgers are now considered heavy favorites to represent the National League in the World Series. Verdugo won’t be around for that, however, as he heads to a rebuilding Red Sox team.
Before embarking on his new journey, Verdugo took to Instagram to thank the Dodgers organization, teammates and fans for treating him so well during his time in L.A.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Alex Verdugo (@dugie11) on Feb 13, 2020 at 8:53am PST
To the fans, to the city. You guys made being a dodger so special in so many ways. On the field, off the field or just walking down the street you guys made me feel loved and like family. I will always cherish the memories of coming up to bat to Volver Volver and hearing the stadium erupt. Then I look around and I see everyone hugging and dancing 
Thank you all for making it so easy for me to be myself and to play and express the pure love and joy I have for this game everyday. Please know from the bottom of my heart, you will always be apart of mine. 
#Bendicion #VivaLaRaza
While it’s unfortunate that Verdugo, who was one of the more entertaining and outgoing players on the team, will not be around in 2020, he will likely get the chance to be an everyday player in Boston. T
he Dodgers have a crowded outfield and likely would not have afforded him that luxury, so this ultimately may be what is best for the 23-year-old’s young career. The hope is that he can put his back injury behind him and have a healthy season in 2020 with his new club.
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