Who is Leody Taveras, who homered against Justin Verlander in ALCS Game 1?

The Texas Rangers were leading 1-0 in the top of the fourth inning of game 1 of the ALCS against the Houston Astros when Leody Taveras belted a solo home run off Justin Verlander to give the Rangers a 2-0 lead.

Taveras is one of the Rangers’ young stars with Josh Jung and Evan Carter and is in the midst of the best season of his career. Taveras signed with the Rangers in 2015 as an international free agent from the Dominican Republic.

Taveras was ranked as the No. 62 overall prospect by Keith Law in his 2019 preseason rankings.

Taveras made his MLB debut in 2020 and has gotten increased playing time in each successive season playing 143 games this season.

Taveras has continued playing well in the postseason with a .263 batting average with one home run and three RBIs.

Taveras has said it is his goal to win a World Series for the Texas Rangers and that the journey so far has been a dream come true.

Taveras went 2-for-2 with a walk and a home run against Verlander in game 1 of the ALCS. Taveras accounted for two of the six hits against Verlander and his single in the seventh inning knocked the Astros pitcher out of the game.