Dodgers News: Dave Roberts Hoping ‘Mental Reset’ Days Get Miguel Vargas Back on Track
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts wanted to give Miguel Vargas a mental break in hopes of getting the 23-year-old second baseman on the right track. While some baseball experts thought Vargas would be the National League Rookie of the Year for the 2023 season, the youngster has toiled offensively.
The Dodgers thought Vargas would be partnered with Gavin Lux to be a dynamic double play duo. The minute the Dodgers traded for the infield specialist Miguel Rojas, Vargas contacted Rojas to become the best second baseman he could.
While fielding a grounder during spring training practice, Vargas broke his pinky. He could play defense for two weeks before he could swing the bat. The opposition, knowing Vargas couldn’t swing, kept walking him.
When Vargas could swing, his troubles began. This season he has a .201 batting average with 7 home runs, 30 RBI, and .678 OPS. Recently, Roberts thinks Vargas has been pressing.
“It’s a mental break more than anything, to be quite honest,” Roberts said. “I had a great conversation with him — just wanted to ease his mind and continue to let him know the confidence hasn’t wavered.”
Dave Roberts with a few pregame notes ahead of today's opener in Colorado. pic.twitter.com/lojPlJzXWC
— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) June 28, 2023
As for what he has to do to get back on track?
“I think, for me, it’s just going back to what he does really well,” Roberts said, “and that’s to get hits. And if we can simplify it to that and swing at good pitches, not to do too much. He doesn’t have to be a carrier and slug, just to get hits I think things will start to turn.”
Roberts thinks the mental break will help Vargas.
“I think once you start to struggle, you start to press a little bit and you try to get things back in one game, one at-bat and then it snowballs. And it’s not just young players. And a little reset I hope gets him back on track.”
According to Roberts, Vargas will start Wednesday and Thursday at Coors Field and will play two out of three in their next series in Kansas City.
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