Draft 14 - A Quick Look At - OF - Alex Verdugo - Arizona

Alex Verdugo

7-24-13  -  Alex Verdugo, of/lhp, Sahuaro, Tucson, Ariz./Chi Town Cream - The athletic 6-foot-1, 190-pound Verdugo is a promising two-way talent. He has a solid build with sloped shoulders and a strong lower half. On the mound, Verdugo has a quick, loose-and-easy arm action and smooth delivery. His fastball sits 88-91 mph and touches 93 with armside run and some sink from a high three-quarter slot (although he will vary his arm slot depending on the hand of the hitter). His mid-70s breaking ball can show sharp 1-7 tilt at its best and flashes average. The Arizona State commit compliments with a 79-80 mph changeup. At the plate, Verdugo has an open stance and uses a toe tap. He has a feel for the barrel and generates pull-side power. Verdugo has average to a tick above straight-line speed and an above-average arm from the outfield. Verdugo is young for the class and will turn 18 right before the draft. http://www.baseballamerica.com/draft/tyler-koleks-heavy-fastball-among-tournament-of-stars-standouts/

8-9-13 - Clint Longenecker ‏@Clint_BA  - Alex Verdugo (Ariz) continues to impress in many facets of game. Strong throw from right field to hose runner at the plate

8-10-13 - New Balance Area Code games - For the Reds, Alex Verdugo (AZ) has established himself as one of the best players on both sides of the ball. The left-hander pitched very well on day one, showing great stuff, but has put on a show at the plate all week. He rocketed a ball that was 99 MPH off the bat back up the middle in one at bat today. He has a good swing from the left side and has hit the ball hard all week. http://prospectinsider.com/view/2013-area-codes:-day-4-notes/

8-21-13 – Area Code Games - 9. Alex Verdugo, lhp/of, Sahuaro, Tucson, Ariz./Chi Town Cream - One of the top two-way players in the class, Verdugo had a tremendous showing in Area Codes with the bat and on the mound. He took an impressive batting practice, hit well in games and showed above-average speed. With bat speed, power and a patient approach, Verdugo has feel to hit and good bat control. He was one of the most impressive pitchers of the event with a control of an 89-92 mph fastball that touched 93 with movement. The Arizona State commit commanded his curveball, a plus offering with 12-to-6 tilt and depth at its best. He will vary the shape of the offering depending upon the hitter and mixed in a low-80s changeup. His delivery and arm action are free and easy.  Verdugo struck out eight against one walk in his four innings and is young for the class. http://www.baseballamerica.com/draft/area-code-games-top-10-prospects/

8-25-13 - Nathan Rode ‏@NathanRode  - I'm know I'm really going out on a limb, but I love watching Alex Verdugo play. Such a dynamic player on both sides of the ball.

9-21-13 –  Alex Verdugo came out swinging in his first at-bat, showing his strength and excellent bat speed by hitting a triple to the right-centerfield gap on his first swing of the tournament. A lefthanded hitter and pitcher, Verdugo squared up the ball his next two at-bats with deep fly outs outs to left field. On his last trip to the plate, in the bottom of the sixth, the left fielder was positioned nearly on the warning track, clearly aware of Verdugo's power and why he is ranked as the 20th best prospect in the 2014 class. .  http://www.perfectgame.org/Articles/View.aspx?article=9017