Alex Verdugo has been the heartbeat of the Red Sox offense this season
Entering the 2023 campaign, Alex Verdugo had a lot to prove. Last year his numbers dropped in almost every category partly because he played with a fractured toe for the first two months of the season. After setting high expectations in spring training, Verdugo has been the heartbeat of the Red Sox offense.
Through the first few weeks of the season, Alex Verdugo has found a home in the leadoff spot. The 26-year-old has been an on-base machine and posted a team-leading .348 batting average in 69 at-bats. He owns a five-game hitting streak and recorded a season-high five hits on Tuesday night, including his biggest hit of the season.
With the Red Sox and Twins tied at four in the 10th, Verdugo stepped to the plate with two runners in scoring position. The Arizona native then hit a fly ball that curled down the right field line short of Pesky’s Pole, and off the side wall. After the play was reviewed, the Red Sox celebrated their second walk-off win of the season.
While Verdugo has provided the heroics early on, he has been one of Boston’s few reliable bats. He has added six multi-hit games to his resume and is tied for the team lead in triples. The Sahuaro High School product is making pitchers use their whole arsenal to get him out and showing great plate discipline.
Additionally, Verdugo is excelling defensively. Through 148 innings of work in the outfield, the former second-round pick has not committed an error and turned one double play. He has been hard to keep out of the lineup while making an impact at the plate and in the field on a nightly base.
Entering play on Wednesday, Verdugo is one of the three Red Sox players who has appeared in every game this season. That list includes Justin Turner and Kiké Hernandez. However, neither have matched Verdugo’s impact.
During the first few weeks of the 2023 campaign, the Red Sox have shown that this season will be a rollercoaster ride. Luckily, they have Verdugo and his .416 on-base percentage leading the way. Regardless of how the season plays out, the Red Sox right fielder is creating optimism for the future.