“He Really Wants to Win”: How Luis Verdugo Has Stepped Up for Myrtle Beach This Season
August 6, 2021 by Sam Weiderhaft The 2021 Myrtle Beach Pelicans have had no shortage of spectacular infielders. From the Cubs’ 2020 first-round pick Ed Howard to another top-20 prospect in the young Kevin Made. Those two young prospects have one thing in common: they’re both shortstops. Add another player
August 6, 2021 by Sam Weiderhaft
The 2021 Myrtle Beach Pelicans have had no shortage of spectacular infielders. From the Cubs’ 2020 first-round pick Ed Howard to another top-20 prospect in the young Kevin Made.
Those two young prospects have one thing in common: they’re both shortstops. Add another player used to playing in the six-hole, 20-year-old Luis Verdugo.
“I love shortstop, my position is shortstop,” Verdugo said. With the number of middle infielders, Verdugo has had to make some changes.
The 2017 international free agent signing has played in just seven games at short this season, four games at second, and 46 games at third base. He’s been a constant in the back end of the lineup this season and has dazzled fans with his fielding ability.
“At third base, I’m seeing a different spot to play baseball,” Verdugo said. “Now I know why they call it the hot corner. I’m ready for anything they hit there, I have to be ready for anything.”
Verdugo’s fielding ability has caught the attention of hitting coach Dan Puente.
“He’s done exceptionally well at coming in on the slow roller,” Puente said. “It’s been a seamless transition to third base, he has a really good baseball IQ.”
“I’ve been working a lot on my glove presentation and my first step,” Verdugo said. While his glovework has been impressive, he knows there’s still more to work on at his new position.
On the hitting side, Verdugo has gone through some rough stretches. The Cubs prospect, who came into the 2021 season as the 14th-highest rated player in the farm system, has only managed to hit .176 this season. Puente said he’s seen some good things from the young infielder, and there are improvements being made each game.
“Mechanically, we’ve been trying to quiet down his moves at the plate,” Puente said. “He gets under the ball a lot; we’re trying to get him a more athletic set-up.”
While the hitting struggles have shaded most of his season, Verdugo has kept his love for the sport the same throughout.
“I like playing in Myrtle Beach so much,” Verdugo said. “All my teammates are amazing; I like playing in this place.”
BOOM!@lrv1202 goes deep and the Birds now have 5 homers this series.
— Myrtle Beach Pelicans (@Pelicanbaseball) July 16, 2021
Top 5, good guys up 4-0 pic.twitter.com/j23zcV2EMh
“He loves baseball and loves being out there every day,” Puente said. “He comes in with the same mentality every day. He really wants to win.”
While the bat continues to catch up to his glove, Verdugo remains hungry for more as the season enters the final stage.