Red Sox right fielder Alex Verdugo is having one of the best years of his big league career. Unfortunately that’s not enough for him to make his first career All-Star game.
Verdugo was snubbed by the fans in the All-Star voting by the fans. The snubbing went even further this week after Mike Trout and Yordan Alvarez had to bow out of the Midsummer Classic due to injuries.
MLB named Julio Rodríguez and Kyle Tucker to replace the two injured sluggers. Even Wander Franco was selected to replace Aaron Judge on the roster.
Verdugo was asked in an interview with Julian McWilliams of The Boston Globe if he felt that he was snubbed.
“Yeah,” said Verdugo. “I mean, but it’s not even just in my regards. I just feel like it’s a fan popularity contest. And, like, the person who went in shouldn’t be there.”
The Sox outfielder didn’t specifically say who he was referring to in his quote. Fans on social media assumed it was due to MLB’s choice of naming Rodríguez, particularly because his numbers didn’t quite match up to Verdugo’s.
The reigning AL Rookie of the Year is hitting just .251 with 13 homers, 47 RBI, 20 SB and a .730 OPS. On the other hand, Verdugo is hitting .288 with 91 hits, six homers, 35 RBI, three stolen bases and .809 OPS and is one of the top players in all of baseball in defensive runs saved with seven outfield assists.
Prior to Wednesday night’s game against the Rangers, Verdugo was tied for third in baseball with 26 doubles, T-5th in hits (91) in the AL, 9th in average, T-10 in runs (53), T-9th with extra-base hits (36).
Tucker is having a great year in his own right, batting .293/.368/.482 with an .850 OPS and 13 homers before Wednesday night’s game.
Verdugo is currently slumping at the plate over his last five games, he’s 2-for-21 (.095) with one homer and five strikeouts.
“I just want to play ball,” Verdugo said. “I want to play ball and help the team win and some people are more active in certain things that get them more attention. But I want to play ball and be recognized for what I do on the field.”
Brayan Bello Looks the Part of an Ace
It’s been a long time since the Red Sox developed a true ace within their farm system.
Brayan Bello has been stellar over his last five starts going 3-1 with a 1.82 ERA and 24 strikeouts in 34 2/3 innings. Overall the right-hander is 6-5 with a 3.04 ERA in 14 starts this season.
His emergence as the leader of the Sox rotation continued on Wednesday night in the Sox 4-2 win over the Rangers. Bello tossed seven strong innings, his fifth straight start going six innings or more. He has also tossed seven innings in four of his last seven starts.
Bello was able to keep one of the best offenses in baseball in check, dominating the Rangers lineup with 36 sinkers and 33 changeups. He worked in 17 sliders, 16 four-seam fastballs and five cutters, per Baseball Savant.
With the likes of Chris Sale, Tanner Houck and Garrett Whitlock on the injured list, Boston is relying on the qualities innings that Bello has been able to provide.
The 24-year-old hurler has the confidence of his teammates and his skipper each and every start.
“I feel grateful for him (Alex Cora) to give me that confidence,” said Bello. “In the seventh when they hit that double, I looked into the dugout and looked to him saying, ‘Hey, I don’t want you to take me out of the game,’ and I appreciate the confidence [he had in] letting me finish that inning.”
Bello has earned Cora’s trust over the last few weeks in part due to his preparation and the way he understands information from the coaching staff.
“He gathers information,” said Cora to reporters. “He understands, him and (pitching coach Dave Bush and game plan coordinator Jason Varitek), they do a good job in between innings to go over what’s going on. Going into the battle, you have an idea what you want to do. But then the opposition, they react differently - sometimes more aggressive than others, sometimes more patient.
“But little by little, he gathers information and he goes out there and he applies it. He’s not afraid. We tell him, ‘Hey, you’re doing this, you’re doing that....be more aggressive with this pitch,’ and he goes and executes.”
Bello’s confidence, preparation and ability to take to the coaching has catapulted him as the team’s ace.
“Of course, that’s one of the best things that I have this year because you go into a game with a plan, but it doesn’t always work that way, and you have to be able to adjust on the fly,” said Bello. “And that’s been something I’ve been able to do this year, and I’m glad that things are working out that way.”
As he continues to emerge as an elite pitcher, Red Sox fans continue to take a liking to the hurler. He was greeted by another standing ovation from the loud Fenway crowd as he exited his start.
“Of course you feed off that energy and being able to pitch here is an amazing experience,” said Bello. “And to be able to give them a good show so they can watch a good baseball game, that’s something I really appreciate and enjoy. And I always say that the Boston fans are the best fans in baseball, and I’m happy that I’m throwing for them.”
Trevor Story Throwing from 165 feet, Justin Turner to play more second base?
Red Sox shortstop Trevor Story continues to inch closer to returning to the club. The infielder is now throwing from 165 feet and the expectation is for him to play shortstop in August.
Story has begun to hit live pitching but not in a rehab game, only taking live batting practice. There is a chance that he will return as a DH in July.
If Story returns to the lineup as a DH, the Red Sox will have to utilize Justin Turner at other positions. The veteran has already played first base, second base and third base.
Cora indicated to reporters that Turner could see more time at second base to keep his bat in the lineup.
“I just want to make sure that he’s not (playing first one day) and the next day he plays second,” said Cora, who added that he wanted to have Turner work with a number of shortstops to get acclimated. “I mentioned it to him today and he was like, ‘Good - I’m ready.’ The range (may be limited), but as long as we make the routine play, we’ll be fine.”
Story could begin a rehab assignment after the All-Star break but that has not been confirmed by the team.
The 30-year-old will continue with his throwing program and focus on regaining his form pre-injury.
“Realistically, I see myself playing in the big leagues in August,” Story said. “To shoot around mid-August would be great. Obviously, this is a live thing so you can’t live and die by the timeline. But yeah, I think go on a rehab assignment, get some at-bats, get my timing underneath me and spend as long as I need down there to feel good enough to come back.”