Alex Verdugo has been on a tear since the All-Star break
After a slow start, Alex Verdugo is carrying the Red Sox offense
Boston Red Sox's Alex Verdugo celebrates his walk-off, RBI single during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Indians, Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)AP
While the Red Sox have struggled over the last few weeks, Alex Verdugo has turned his season around. The Arizona native got off to a slow start, but he has been an on-base machine over the past month. With wins at a premium, Verdugo is stepping up at the plate.
Through 435 at-bats this season, Verdugo has posted a .288 batting average with 37 extra-base hits. With more than a month left on the schedule, he has 57 RBI which is only six short of his career high. In the last month, Verdugo has arguably been the best hitter in the Red Sox lineup.
In his last 30 games, the former second-round pick has 36 hits in 111 at-bats. In that span, Verdugo only has one home run, but he has not had to rely on his power to make a difference. He has already forced seven walks in August and recorded six multi-hit games. With stars such as J.D. Martinez and Xander Bogaerts struggling, Verdugo has sparked the offense.
As Verdugo has been unstoppable at the plate, his average has steadily inched closer to .300, and his on-base percentage has moved closer to his career average. With Verdugo playing at a high level, he has been able to put a frustrating start in the rearview mirror. In June, he told the media, “I see the .230 (batting average) up there. It’s very frustrating. … I feel I should be right in that .280 to .300 range.”
Additionally, Verdugo has been a double machine since the All-Star break with 11. Eight of those have come in August, which ties his most in a single month this season. The Sahuaro High School products play has been a welcoming sign as he has never finished a season hitting below .289 in the Red Sox uniform.
While the Red Sox are still five games out of a playoff spot, Verdugo is turning his season around at a perfect time. He has shown how important he is to this lineup which could undergo multiple changes this offseason. Since the All-Star break, he is batting over .300 and showing no signs of slowing down.
After a slow start to the season, Verdugo is back to being the player he is expected to be.
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