Alex Verdugo’s Fall From Spotlight to Underdog: A Stunning MLB Comeback Story
Once one of baseball’s brightest young stars, Alex Verdugo’s offseason saga turned into one of the most surprising and somber tales in recent MLB memory.
After striking out to end the 2024 World Series in a Yankees uniform, the 28-year-old outfielder hit free agency for the first time in his career — only to be met with total silence. Despite being known as one of the game’s elite defensive left fielders and consistently hitting double-digit home runs in every full season he’s played, Verdugo found himself without a single offer all winter.
A former top prospect in the Dodgers’ system, Verdugo reportedly didn’t receive any serious interest until March 20 — just one week before Opening Day.
That lone offer came from the Atlanta Braves, a team with championship pedigree and playoff ambitions. But the deal was far from glamorous: a $1.5 million contract, a massive drop from the $9.2 million he made with the Yankees the year before — and it included a minor league assignment, which Verdugo, with over five years of MLB service time, could’ve refused.
Instead, he accepted.
Alex Verdugo
Fast forward five weeks, and on Friday night, Verdugo finally made his debut with Atlanta. In a surprising move, manager Brian Snitker slotted him right into the leadoff spot, despite the Braves sitting at the bottom of the NL East with a 5–13 record, and despite Verdugo not having seen big league action since that painful October 30 strikeout.
The decision raised eyebrows among Braves fans — but Verdugo came out swinging.
He smoked line drives in his first two at-bats against Twins starter Chris Paddack, with exit velocities of 104.4 mph and 101.1 mph. Unfortunately, both were caught. He struck out in his third trip to the plate, grounded out in his fourth, and popped out in his final at-bat in the eighth inning.
Though he finished the night 0-for-5, Verdugo showed signs of life — and returned to the field with his signature beard, something he wasn’t allowed to wear during his clean-cut stint with the Yankees.
From top prospect to playoff scapegoat to overlooked free agent, Verdugo’s journey has taken unexpected turns — but now, he’s got a shot at redemption in Atlanta.
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