Boston Red Sox Outfielder Wants To Start Pitching

Boston Red Sox outfielder Alex Verdugo has told reporters that he wants to become a two-way player by the start of the 2023 MLB season.

It is important to note that he pitched in high school and many scouts envisioned him making the big-leagues as a pitcher rather than outfielder. As a result of this, Chaim Bloom is not against the idea of Verdugo trying to pitch at the MLB level.

Chaim Bloom said the Red Sox haven’t discussed Alex Verdugo becoming a two way player and they’re focused on winning this series, but noted he wouldn’t put it past Verdugo and remembered how highly touted he was as a pitcher out of high school.
— Jason Mastrodonato (@JMastrodonato) October 8, 2021

Verdugo also noted that he hopes to be a relief pitcher rather than starter like Shohei Ohtani. He will start practicing his pitching this off-season.

If Verdugo is successful with his long-term goal, it would certainly be fun for the sport. Besides Ohtani, we have seen pitcher Michael Lorenzen on the Cincinnati Reds be utilized as an outfielder in the past. Furthermore, Tampa Bay Rays prospect Brendan McKay is aiming to find a permanent spot in the MLB as both a pitcher and hitter.

Verdugo is coming off of a very strong with the Red Sox as well. In 146 games, he had 13 home runs, 63 RBIs and a .289 batting average.