Dodgers Team News

Dodgers: Max Muncy Breaks Down How Rookie Miguel Vargas Impressed Him

Dodgers prospect Miguel Vargas had a great season in the minor leagues last year, batting .304 with a .404 on-base percentage and a .511 slugging percentage in 520 plate appearances with Triple-A Oklahoma City. His overall OPS in four seasons in the minors is .878, and everyone who has watched him play agrees he’s going to be a great hitter.

We’re not just talking about scouts, either. Other players who have watched him recognize that he’s a special talent at the plate. That includes Dodgers infielder Max Muncy, who talked with Dodgers Nation recently about Vargas’s potential.



“Man, that guy can hit. When I did my rehab assignment early on in the year, and I went down to OKC, I saw first hand what he was doing down there. And then he came up and I know his numbers weren’t necessarily the best, but I’m very impressed with Miguel Vargas.

“I think one of the things I’m most impressed with is there’s so much hype and, kind of, hoopla surrounding Miguel Vargas and he hasn’t let any of that get to him. He was there early every day. He was there wanting to work every single day. He would be in the cage and he just wanted to watch people hit. And I was so impressed with that, for a guy that’s going to be as good as he is. He’s going to be a star in this game for sure. I think he can really, really hit.

“You know, he’s got the genes for hitting, obviously. What is it, his dad’s the all-time hit leader in Cuba, I think is what it is? Yeah, he’s obviously got some hit genes in there. And I just think the more experience he gets, the greater it’s going to be. He’s probably going to struggle a little bit, but that happens with everybody. He’s going to be a star for sure.”

Vargas did struggle in his cup of coffee with Los Angeles late in the 2022 season, but almost everyone struggles at first. He has that debut behind him, and as he heads into 2023 expecting to play a big role on LA’s team, he’ll have the opportunity to show what he can do in the big leagues.

We probably shouldn’t expect the .915 OPS he posted in Triple-A last year, but it’s not crazy to expect Vargas to be a really good big-league hitter in 2023.

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Jeff Snider

Jeff was born into a Dodgers family in Southern California and is now raising a Dodgers family of his own in Utah. During his previous career as an executive at a technology company, he began writing about baseball in his spare time. After leaving corporate America in 2014, he started doing it professionally. Jeff wrote and edited for Baseball Essential for years before joining Dodgers Nation. He's also the co-host of the Locked On Dodgers podcast, a daily podcast that brings the smart fan's perspective on our Boys in Blue. Jeff has a degree in English from Brigham Young University. Favorite Player: Clayton Kershaw Favorite Moment: Kirk Gibson's homer will always have a place, but Kershaw's homer on Opening Day 2013 might be the winner.

2 Comments

  1. Scouts and other baseball people including the Dodger’s Gomes and Friedman have stated Vargas is a sure MLB hitter. They said the same about Lux but it took him a while to find his groove. I hope the Dodgers will give Vargas plenty of at-bats. I am hoping they give Busch the opportunity also as he has a great swing and has improved his power.

  2. Vargas; Cartaya; Busch; Outman; Pages’. If they can make it to the show & stick, Dodgers don’t miss a beat. Also Daulton Rushing, if he continues to develop offensively & defensively, icing on the cake! Would like to see Vargas work out at 3rd & CF. Busch at 2nd. Cartaya keep working at catcher and LF. Will Smith work out at 3rd.
    Opens up options & trade options if someone doesn’t pan out. Future position possibilities could be;
    Vargas – 3B; CF
    Cartaya – C; LF
    Rushing – C
    W. Smith – C; 3B
    Muncy – 2B; 3B; 1B
    Busch – 2B
    Outman & Pages in the outfield or possible trade candidates.

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