Avoiding Mookie Betts’ shadow, Alex Verdugo ready for Year 2 with the Red Sox

The billboard above Sal’s Pizza on Brookline Ave. wasn’t supposed to be about Alex Verdugo, but it kind of was.

“Dear Boston, thank you for Mookie Betts,” it read. “Sincerely, Dodgers Fans & @pantone294.”

The billboard was spotted on Monday and shared on social media. It’s big, directly faces Fenway Park and is in Dodger blue.

And yes, it’s a slap in the face of the Red Sox, whether or not it was intended that way. Betts just finished second in National League MVP voting, won a World Series with the Dodgers and signed a contract that’ll keep him in Los Angeles until he’s 40.

And the Red Sox? They finished in last place.

But they do have Verdugo.

At 24 years old, Verdugo received one fifth-place MVP vote last year. As the centerpiece of the Betts trade, he truly did not disappoint. He played with energy for a terrible team that was going nowhere from Opening Day and seemed to know it. He hit .308 with an .844 OPS, cranked six homers, stole four bases, collected seven outfield assists and robbed one home run at the wall in right field.

Alas, he wasn’t as good as Betts. He probably never will be.

But if Red Sox fans wanted to put a sign in front of Dodger Stadium saying, “Thanks for Alex Verdugo,” it wouldn’t be just for the irony.

“I remember him last year, when (reporters) were asking him about trying to fill Mookie Betts’ shoes and him just simply saying like, ‘I’m not trying to fill anybody’s shoes, I’m just here to play my game and be me,’” Red Sox pitcher Garrett Richards said Tuesday. “I think from that moment on, I was on him. And everything has been as advertised since I got here.

“He worries about what he’s got to do and how he can help the team. I’ve been very very impressed with that, especially from a young player.”

Richards, the veteran starter signed to a $10 million contract this winter, has gotten to know Verudgo quite well this spring, as the two have lockers next to each other in Fort Myers.

“He’s young, but he really understands what he wants to do out there at the plate,” Richards said. “Great approach. … We talk quite a bit. I was just really impressed with how he carries himself.”

Those who have been around him often mention the energy he brings. That, and the confidence.

“I think last year, with COVID and the interruption and a couple big trades — and obviously Chris Sale going down, one of our big guys — it just kind of felt like gut punch after gut punch,” Verdugo said Tuesday. “We got some new pitchers, some new guys, new talent. I think everybody is just excited.”

To see what Verdugo is capable of in Year 2 in Boston remains one of the most important developments for the Red Sox organization.

To think he performed as well as he did last year without a lot of productive players around him is a positive sign. The Sox were out of most games early, and there were days Verdugo seemed like the only Red Sox player actually enjoying himself out there.

It was particularly impressive given he missed the entire spring while recovering from back surgery.

“Last year I spent a lot of time in the training room getting treatment, doing little workouts and plyo (plyometrics) to make sure the back was going to hold up,” he said.

When summer camp started, he was still feeling pain.

“Physically I felt a little bit off,” he said. “When the season kicked in, it took me maybe a week, week and a half into the season for me to finally get that adjustment and realize what I had to do. From there, I didn’t look back.”

More than a year removed from the surgery, Verdugo is back to 100%. And with the entire outfield from the Sox’ 2018 World Series team now playing in new uniforms, Verdugo has a chance to be the Sox’ star outfielder.

Manager Alex Cora still won’t say whether or not Verdugo or Hunter Renfroe or someone else will be the regular center fielder. Verdugo has played eight games in center to just four in right field this spring. Renfroe and Kiké Hernandez have each played three games in center.

Only prospect Jarren Duran, likely to start the year at Triple-A Worcester, has played more games in center field this spring (19).

“The biggest thing is health-wise, taking care of my body, making sure my legs are under me,” Verdugo said. “The position doesn’t matter.”

He was great at leadoff last year, but looks slotted in as the No. 2 hitter behind Hernandez and in front of J.D. Martinez.

Cora likes the way Verdugo makes contact, works the count and can hit line drives to the opposite field.

“He’s making good decisions at the plate,” Cora said. “He’s feeling good about his swing.”

Billboard or not, MVP or not, Verdugo is sure to make an impact.