San Francisco Giants: Prospect Ryan Verdugo and His Quest to Make the Majors

The San Francisco Giants have done a good job in recent years building up their farm system and developing young players.  One of those young prospects is 24 year old Ryan Verdugo, a left handed pitcher, currently with the Giants' AA affiliate in Richmond.

Let's learn more about Verdugo and his quest to make the Major Leagues.

You can also follow Ryan on Twitter at www.twitter.com/teachmetodugi11

Baseball Was in His Blood at an Early Age

Ryan Verdugo was born in Pasadena, California and played his high school and junior college baseball in the state of Washington.  Verdugo credits his parents, Dale and Cindy Verdugo, for getting him started in sports and supporting him every step of the way.

Verdugo was a standout pitcher at Lake Stevens High School and was originally drafted in 2005 by the Philadelphia Phillies, right out of high school.  Verdugo passed on joining the Phillies organization, as his decision was made easier due to the fact that he needed Tommy John surgery in 2005.

Verdugo spent 2006 as a DH at Skagit Valley JC, but worked hard to get back on the mound.  He returned to pitching in 2007, where he led Skagit Valley with a 7-2 record and 2.74 ERA. 

Verdugo was drafted by the Giants in 2007, but was a 47th round selection.  He was also being recruited by major colleges and when LSU offered Verdugo a scholarship, he went to Baton Rogue in 2008.

LSU was a good fit for Verdugo, as he compiled a 9-4 record and 4.12 ERA.  He also finished in the top ten in the SEC in several categories, including No. 1 in starts with 18, No. 2 in wins with 9, No. 4 in innings pitched with 94 and No. 7 in strikeouts with 85.

I asked Verdugo how a young man from the west coast could move all the way to the deep south in Louisiana and how that went.

"I love it, it's so laid back," Verdugo stated. "In Baton Rouge, people are friendly and all about football and baseball."

As far as mentors when he was younger, Verdugo lists his dad as someone who got him into baseball at a young age.  In addition, Verdugo credits Skagit Valley coach Kevin Matthews and Terry Rooney, the LSU pitching coach at the time, with being very influential in helping his development as a pitcher.

Ryan Verdugo Joins the Giants Organization

The Giants were favorably impressed by Ryan Verdugo's season at LSU and again drafted him in 2008.  This time, however, Verdugo was selected in the 9th round.

"It was very satisfying that my hard work paid off, the Giants liked me and drafted me twice," Verdugo said.

He made the decision to sign with the Giants in 2008 and played in rookie ball.  Verdugo was then promoted to the Giants' low A affiliate in Salem-Keizer.

2009 saw Verdugo play rookie ball and then A ball in Augusta.  It was at Augusta that he began to really flash his stuff and show the potential the Giants were hoping for.  In 21 games, all relief appearances, Verdugo had a 4-0 record and very impressive 1.39 ERA.  He also struck out 45 hitters in just over 32 innings of work.

Verdugo started 2010 in Augusta, then moved to the Giants' high A affiliate in San Jose.  He did well at both locations, compiling a combined record of 8-1 and 1.87 overall ERA.  He also struck out a whopping 94 batters in just under 63 innings.

Ryan Verdugo with the Richmond Flying Squirrels in 2011

Ryan Verdugo was promoted to the Giants' AA affiliate in Richmond for the 2011 season.  He is having a solid season with a 7-4 record and 4.07 ERA.  Verdugo has allowed only 92 hits in 104 innings of work and is again showing strong strikeout numbers with 108.

I asked Verdugo how he has adjusted so well to each level he has performed at.

"Every level brings a new challenge and you either sink or swim," he said.  "You learn on your own to make adjustments and it's never easy."

The one area that Verdugo needs to improve is his relatively high number of walks, currently at 48.

According to Verdugo, the high walk total is not caused by poor mechanics. 

"It's more mental, I need to always stay focused and locked in," Verdugo said.  "I want to go right after guys and avoid a lapse of focus."

Verdugo has spent 2011 as a starter, after pitching the previous three seasons pitching out of the bullpen.

"I'm open to anything," he said.  It's a matter of increasing your conditioning and building arm strength."

Verdugo's 104 innings pitched thus far in 2011 is far more than he has ever thrown as a professional.  He credits more long distance running and total body workouts, which helped build his stamina, as reasons for his successful transition.

What Is It Like Playing for the Giants' Organization?

Ryan Verdugo was invited to the Giants' major league spring training camp and got a chance to meet and work with several top stars. 

"It's a great group of guys, all friendly," Verdugo said.  "They treat you just like one of the guys."

I asked him specifically if there were any major leaguers who helped him. 

"Matt Cain helped me out a lot and worked with me on the side," he said.  "He also helped me to keep my head up, when I struggled with my control.  Jeff Suppan was also a really good guy to talk to.  He spent a lot of time and was great in helping the younger guys."

As a younger player,  he looked up to Randy Johnson and Nolan Ryan.  He tried to approach the game with the same aggressive mentality that these two greats did. 

"They were competitive and went right after guys," Verdugo said.  "They never backed down and I liked their mentality of here it is, hit it."

We both laughed remembering when Robin Ventura charged the mound against Ryan, only to be grabbed into a head lock and having his noggin punched several times.

When I asked Verdugo if the positive effects of the Giants' World Series championship had filtered down to the minors, he said it most definitely did. 

"It was a huge accomplishment," he said.  "The Giants' tradition is instilled early on and they approach everyone like we're going to be in the big leagues someday."

As the trade deadline approached at the end of July, there were a lot of rumors flying around.  Verdugo understands that this is a business.  "It was out of my control, but I didn't want to leave all of the guys I'd been playing with. You have to put that possibility out of your mind and still go out there and perform."

What Will It Take for Ryan Verdugo to Pitch in the Major Leagues?

Ryan Verdugo throws a variety of fastballs and is able to cut or sink the ball.  He typically will top out in the low 90's.  He also has an improving curve ball that has a good downward bite.  Verdugo will also mix in a changeup to try to keep hitters off balance.

Verdugo is 6'0" and 195 pounds.  Not small, but not what a lot of teams are looking for, which is the big 6'4", 230 pound frame. 

"Some scouts did prejudge me and wanted the stereotypical long lanky body, but not everybody is blessed with that," he said.  "It worked out okay for (Tim) Lincecum."

"My biggest asset is I give everything I've got and I pride myself on that.  I'm not the biggest guy and don't throw the hardest.  I try to have that bulldog mentality and be competitive against every hitter," says Verdugo.

The most important thing for Verdugo to make it to the next level and ultimately to the big leagues is an improvement in command, both with locating his fastball and overall with all of his pitches. 

"I want to be going right after the hitter," Verdugo said.  "I don't want to nibble or try to strike everyone out.  I want to make them put the ball in play and cut down on the walks."

As far as what's in store for Verdugo, he would like to pitch in the Arizona Fall League again. 

"Last year was a great experience playing in the Arizona Fall League against top prospects, I really enjoyed it," he said.

Looking ahead to the 2012 season, Verdugo doesn't yet know whether he will be in Richmond, or perhaps the Giants' AAA affiliate in Fresno. 

"My agent and I haven't talked to Bobby Evans yet," Verdugo said. "They keep us in the dark about that for the most part.  I suppose I'll know a lot more in spring training next year.  It all happens so quick, a day or two before the last day of spring training, they'll tell you where you're going."

I was very impressed with Ryan Verdugo, his work ethic and his self proclaimed "bulldog mentality."  He carries himself as a professional and has a good understanding of what it will take to make it to the Major Leagues.  I, for one, will be rooting for him.