Alex Verdugo (MLB.com)
Former Sahuaro standout Alex Verdugo was named to the Top 100 Prospect Watch list by mlbpipeline.com. He is listed as third prospect in the Dodgers organization and the 61st overall.
“Scouting grades: Hit: 60 | Power: 50 | Run: 50 | Arm: 70 | Field: 50 | Overall: 55
Verdugo was a high school left-hander with a fastball that reached 94 mph and an intriguing slider, but he wanted to play every day and the Dodgers allowed him to do so after signing him for $914,600 as a second-round pick in 2014. He has done nothing to make them regret that decision, winning organization Minor League player of the year honors in his first full pro season and making the jump to Double-A at age 19 to begin 2016.
An extremely advanced hitter for his age, Verdugo excels at recognizing pitches, managing the strike zone and squaring up the ball. He exhibits plenty of bat speed from the left side of the plate and an affinity for using the opposite field. The only concerns with him offensively are whether his line-drive approach will limit him to average power and whether he makes contact so easily that it will cut into his walks.
Though Verdugo has just average speed, he has spent most of his pro career in center field. His instincts help him make plays, but a lot of evaluators believe his range will be better suited for right field in the long run. His well above-average arm definitely will play there and allowed him to record 37 assists in his first two full pro seasons.”
This list was updated all year in an effort to recognize all former local prep stars who had gone on to achieve either academic and/or athletic awards at the next level. These are not high school awards but college and professional awards. NOT CHAMPIONSHIPS. If you are aware of anything I have missed along the way, please let me know. amoralesmytucson@yahoo.com
Alex Verdugo/Baseball
Sahuaro (2014)/Oklahoma City Dodgers
Milbpipeline.com Prospect Watch (1/29)
Tristan Peterson/Baseball
Canyon del Oro (2016)/Kansas State
Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll (1/25)
Sydni Stallworth/Basketball
Palo Verde (2015)/Pima
ACCAC D-II Player of the Week (1/17)
National Player of the Week (1/20)
Marc Matthews/Basketball
Buena (2012)/Montana State
GNAC Player of the Week (1/2)
D-II National Player of the Week (1/3)
Portions from news release.
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Andy Morales was recognized by the AIA as the top high school reporter in 2014 and has been a youth, high school and college coach for over 30 years. His own children have won multiple state high school championships and were named to all-state teams. Competing in hockey, basketball, baseball and track & field in high school, his unique perspective can only be found here and on AZPreps365.com. Andy was named a Local Hero by the Tucson Weekly for 2016. Contact Andy Morales at AMoralesMyTucson@yahoo.com
