Dodgers: Who has the best chance of starting in LF in 2018?
By Jason Reed
4. Alex Verdugo
Alex Verdugo is perhaps the most intriguing player in the Dodgers organization heading into 2018. Verdugo is the Dodgers best position player prospect and has served four seasons in the minor leagues after being selected in the second round of the 2014 MLB Draft. Verdugo’s stock is immensely high, yet the Dodgers have no real path for him.
There is no doubt that Verdugo is ready for showtime at the big league level. In a full season at AAA Oklahoma City last season the outfielder hit .314 with six home runs and 62 RBIs. Verdugo is not a slugger, but he has a smooth natural stroke that places the ball gap-to-gap that can churn out doubles atop the order.
Verdugo excels in the field as well with some deceptive range and a cannon for an arm. Overall, Verdugo possesses all of the tools to succeed in the MLB. The only problem is that there are already several left-handed hitting options ahead of him in the outfield. Plus, in his September call-up, he faltered with a .174 batting average.
The Dodgers certainly have their work cut out for them with Verdugo. As the season goes along injuries will inevitably happen and there likely will be a door for Verdugo similar to Cody Bellinger. However, on Opening Day, Verdugo will likely find himself in OKC once more.