Dodgers News: Miguel Vargas Has Been Raking in Triple-A

Dave Roberts and the Dodgers organization had high expectations for Miguel Vargas when the rookie was placed in the starting lineup at second base to start the season.

However, things did not go as planned, as the rookie batted just .195 across 81 games. Perhaps a broken pinky suffered during spring training got in the way of Vargas’ ability to perform, but regardless, he wasn’t working in the majors.

The Dodgers made the tough decision to send Vargas back to Triple-A Oklahoma City to give the young player time to catch his breath and develop.

“There’s a piece of winning here and there’s also a piece of putting his mind where it needs to be, because clearly right now, he’s pressing. He’s never struggled like this,” Roberts said before sending Vargas back to the minor leagues.

Well, it seems that the demotion is just what Vargas needed, as the 23-year-old is averaging .462/.650/.538 in 13 at-bats across four games.

Following a quiet start by Miguel Vargas after getting sent down to OKC, here are his last 11 plate appearances:

1B
1B
BB
BB
BB
BB
1B
1B
F9
1B
2B#Dodgers

— Alex Freedman (@azfreedman) July 19, 2023

In Tuesday night’s win, Vargas had 4 hits and looked confident at the plate, driving in a run when the team was down early in the game.

Miguel Vargas had 4 hits tonight for AAA OKC and looked very aggressive and very confident. He has hits in 3 games in a row. #dodgers pic.twitter.com/izLOSoVOYE

— Dodgers Daily (@dodger_daily) July 19, 2023

Vargas’ first start in the minors was not anything to write about — with the infielder failing to record a hit. However, it seems that Vargas could be returning to the player we saw in spring training — a player good enough to make the starting lineup.

Roberts made it clear that Vargas was still a part of the Dodgers’ future after making the decision to demote the rookie.

“None of us saw this coming,” Roberts said. “I wanted to assure him that we didn’t lose faith in him. I thought this was the right thing for him. I think the injury to his right thumb and then trying to find his swing didn’t help the situation. Then you start scuffling and you’re not getting hits when you hit the ball hard. It sped up on him.”

If Vargas continues to perform in the minors, perhaps we will see him again before the season ends.

Photo Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

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