If you’ve been scrolling through Atlanta Braves box scores and wondering who’s going to rescue this outfield, it might be time to take a look at Verdugo in Triple-A. While he’s not game-ready yet, the wheels are turning fast.
Verdugo’s Delayed Spring—and a Shot at Redemption
Verdugo literally didn’t get a spring. He was unsigned all offseason, and his market was colder than a wind tunnel in mid-February.
By the time the Braves scooped him up on a one-year, $1.5 million major league deal just before Opening Day, everyone knew it would take time.
And manager Brian Snitker isn’t sugarcoating it. He’s made it clear: this isn’t about stats right now—it’s about stamina. “We got to get him in shape to play nine innings,” Snitker said.
That’s why Verdugo’s first two games with Gwinnett saw him exit after six and seven innings, respectively. The man’s basically going through a simulated Spring Training while the regular season’s already rolling.
Current Production? Small Sample, But Encouraging
In five at-bats across those games, Verdugo logged just one hit—a double—but he scored a run and, more importantly, got the reps in. If there’s one thing we know about Verdugo, he can produce when he’s on.
His 2023 season with the Yankees? Rough. A .233 average, a paltry .291 OBP, and a quiet 13 homers across 149 games. That’s not exactly earning him statues in the Bronx.
But rewind to his time with the Red Sox and Dodgers, and you get a whole different picture. A .281 career average, solid gap power, and a guy who—when motivated and healthy—can be a spark plug. If that guy shows up in Atlanta? That’s a boost the Braves desperately need.
Why the Braves Need Him—Yesterday
With Ronald Acuña Jr. sidelined until at least May and Jurickson Profar suspended 80 games for PEDs (and ruled out for the postseason), the Braves’ outfield depth has gone from shaky to threadbare.
The trio of Jarred Kelenic, Bryan De La Cruz, and Eli White has combined for a bafflingly bad .142 batting average (7-for-49). That’s not just a slump—that’s an SOS. Add to that a team already reeling from a brutal 1-8 start, and it’s clear: if Verdugo gets hot even a little, he’s not staying in Triple-A for long.
What Comes Next For the Braves?
This isn’t a question of if Verdugo gets called up—it’s when. He’s on a Major League contract, the outfield needs a lift, and the Braves need something to inject life into the lineup. Expect that phone call to come as soon as he can handle nine innings.
