Philadelphia Phillies, a 25-year-old infielder who briefly reached the Triple-A level last season, is set to continue his professional baseball journey in a new organization. According to BeisbolPuro.com, Verdugo has agreed to a minor league contract with the San Diego Padres, marking another chapter in a career that has already included stops in multiple systems across North America.
Verdugo most recently spent the 2025 season in the Phillies organization, which represented his first and only year with the club. During that campaign, he appeared in 31 games for the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, the Phillies’ Triple-A affiliate.
His time at the highest level of the minor leagues was challenging from an offensive standpoint. Over 100 official at-bats, Verdugo recorded 18 hits, resulting in a .180 batting average. While the numbers were modest, the experience still marked an important milestone, as reaching Triple-A is often viewed as a critical step toward a potential major league opportunity.
Originally from Mexico, Verdugo’s professional career began several years earlier within the Chicago Cubs organization. He signed with the Cubs as a young prospect and spent the better part of seven seasons, from 2018 through 2024, working his way up through their minor league system. Throughout that period, Verdugo steadily advanced through the lower and middle levels of the farm system, eventually reaching Double-A, which represented the highest rung he achieved while under contract with Chicago.
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His most notable season with the Cubs came in 2024, when he played for the Tennessee Smokies, the club’s Double-A affiliate. Over the course of 109 games, Verdugo posted a slash line of .257/.313/.328. While those figures did not reflect significant power production, they did show a player capable of making consistent contact and contributing offensively in a league known for testing hitters with more advanced pitching. That season helped solidify his reputation as a dependable infielder with experience across multiple levels of professional baseball.
Following the conclusion of the 2024 campaign, Verdugo entered free agency for the first time in his career. After spending his entire professional life up to that point in the Cubs’ system, he opted for a new opportunity and signed a minor league contract with the Phillies in December 2024. The move represented a fresh start and a chance to reestablish his value in a different organization, particularly one known for providing opportunities to depth players who perform well at the upper levels of the minors.
Although his time with Philadelphia did not yield strong statistical results, the experience still added to Verdugo’s résumé. Competing in Triple-A exposed him to more refined pitching and higher expectations, elements that can be invaluable for a player seeking to adjust and grow. Even with the struggles at the plate, simply reaching that level placed him among a relatively small group of players who are one step away from the major leagues.
Now, Verdugo will attempt to reset and move forward with the Padres, an organization undergoing changes of its own. San Diego recently made a notable managerial hire, bringing in Craig Stammen to lead the club for the 2026 season. The addition of a new manager often signals shifts in organizational philosophy, player development strategies, and roster evaluation, potentially opening doors for players like Verdugo who are looking to carve out a role within a competitive system.
For Verdugo, joining the Padres provides another opportunity to showcase his abilities and demonstrate improvement since his stint with the Phillies. Minor league contracts often come with invitations to spring training, where players can compete for roster spots or at least position themselves as valuable depth options. In an organization known for blending established stars with homegrown and under-the-radar talent, consistent performance could help Verdugo remain on the radar as the season progresses.
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In addition to his work in affiliated baseball, Verdugo has also continued to refine his skills in winter ball. He is currently playing for the Tomateros de Culíacan in the Mexican Winter League, a circuit that regularly features a mix of major league veterans, prospects, and experienced professionals.
Through Thursday of the current season, Verdugo has produced strong offensive numbers, batting .260 with a .353 on-base percentage and a .450 slugging percentage. He has already hit nine home runs and driven in 31 runs over 64 games, a performance that reflects a more impactful offensive profile than what he showed during his recent Triple-A stint.
His success with Culíacan is not an isolated occurrence. Over four seasons in the Mexican League, all spent with the same club, Verdugo has compiled a combined slash line of .251/.328/.403. Across 141 games in that league, he has totaled 14 home runs and 60 RBIs. Those numbers suggest a level of consistency and adaptability, particularly when playing in a competitive environment that often features seasoned pitchers and intense atmospheres.
Winter league performance can play a significant role in shaping how organizations view players heading into spring training. Strong showings often help restore confidence and demonstrate adjustments made during the offseason. For Verdugo, the power output and improved on-base skills he has displayed in Mexico could serve as evidence that he is capable of contributing more offensively than his recent Triple-A numbers might indicate.
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As he prepares to transition to the Padres’ system, Verdugo brings with him a diverse set of experiences. He has navigated multiple minor league levels in the United States, adjusted to different organizational philosophies, and competed extensively in Mexican professional baseball. That background may enhance his ability to adapt quickly to new coaches, teammates, and expectations in San Diego.
While the road to the major leagues remains challenging, especially for players on minor league contracts, Verdugo’s journey underscores the persistence required to continue pursuing opportunities at the professional level. Each move represents another chance to refine his approach, demonstrate versatility as an infielder, and prove that he can be a reliable option within an organization’s depth chart.
Ultimately, Verdugo’s agreement with the Padres is less about immediate guarantees and more about opportunity. For a player who has already experienced the highs of reaching Triple-A and the lows of offensive struggles, the focus now shifts to steady improvement and consistent performance. If his recent success in the Mexican Winter League carries over into affiliated play, he could position himself as a useful asset for San Diego’s minor league system and, potentially, beyond.
In the broader context of professional baseball, stories like Verdugo’s are common yet compelling. They highlight the winding paths many players travel, moving between organizations, leagues, and even countries in pursuit of a lasting role. For Verdugo, the next chapter with the Padres represents another step in that ongoing journey, one fueled by experience, resilience, and the hope that continued growth will eventually open new doors.
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