Alex Verdugo, one of the top hitting prospects in the Los Angeles Dodgers organization, has joined Triple-A Oklahoma City for the best-of-five Pacific Coast League championship series against El Paso Chihuahuas (San Diego Padres affiliate).
Verdugo spent the entire regular season with Double-A Tulsa, batting .273/.336/.407 with 23 doubles, 13 home runs and 63 RBI in 126 games. He led the team in hits (130) and ranked third in doubles, home runs and RBI. The Drillers did not qualify for postseason play.
Verdugo becomes the fourth player in the past 10 days to earn a promotion from Tulsa to Oklahoma City.
He reunites with Cody Bellinger, Joe Broussard and Chase De Jong. The Oklahoma City pitching staff was also bolstered as Casey Fien was sent outright to the Minors after clearing waivers.
Bellinger and Verdugo were among the prospects named thus far to the Glendale Desert Dogs for the Arizona Fall League. The OKC Dodgers have dealt with a mass exodus of talent this season with Austin Barnes, Grant Dayton, Jose De Leon, Rob Segedin and Yasiel Puig among the players in the Majors.
The PCL championship series begins Tuesday night at Southwest University Park. Game 2 (Wednesday) will also be played at the Chihuahuas home stadium. The series then shifts to Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark for Game 3 (Friday) and if necessary, Games 4 (Saturday) and 5 (Sunday).
