Dodgers News: Andrew Friedman Has High Praise, Expectations for Miguel Vargas
One of the more disappointing parts of the 2023 season for the Dodgers was the play of young infielder Miguel Vargas. Vargas made the Opening Day roster as the second baseman for the team, but he struggled through the first half of the year before being optioned to Triple-A.
The team felt that he was ready for the big leagues after he excelled in the minors in 2022, slashing .304/.404/.511 with 17 home runs and 82 runs batted in in 2022. But Vargas never lived up to the hype this year.
The team still remains high on his upside, and they are hoping that he can contribute to the roster in 2024 — even with Mookie Betts being the team’s full-time second baseman. Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman offered some high praise for the young prospect and the expectations that come with it.
“Vargas is one of the more talented natural hitters I’ve seen as a Minor Leaguer coming up,” Friedman said. “So just getting back to that I think is going to be very helpful for him. And just how clear-eyed he is about it has us really encouraged leading into Spring Training.”
Per Andrew Friedman via Dodger Insider
Part of the struggles that Vargas saw during the season was due to injury. He broke multiple fingers in Spring Training and wasn’t able to swing the bat for a good portion of the time. This threw off any rhythm he had, and he never recovered from it.
He appeared in 81 games for the Dodgers this past season, hitting. 195 with seven home runs and 32 runs batted in. But once he got back to Triple-A, he showed that he still had the ability to produce, hitting.288 with 10 home runs and 43 runs batted in over 60 games.
The hope is that he can return to form this season and produce for the big league squad. He remains one of the team’s top prospects, and they are banking on a bounce-back year for him in 2024.
Photo Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
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The kid wil need to get consistent at bats to find his groove. Since the Mookster will be playing second base the kid will have to play left field and 3rd base, or get traded.
Yes, I agree, too bad Mookie is taking over 2nd base, forcing Vargas to another position. I wonder if Roberts will give him enough runaway of 200 at bats for him to prove himself. IMO, they will trade him, and he will become a star with another team.
They do not need another left Fielder and I don’t think he’s good enough for third base, who knows what they’re gonna do with Muncie he’s not the best but he’s also not terrible and he hit 36 home runs, so how do you get rid of him?