Dodgers Still Believe in Former Top Prospect Despite 2023 Struggles
Miguel Vargas struggled immensely in his first full-time exposure to major league pitching in 2023, enough to question whether the Dodgers’ Opening Day second baseman has a future as a big league regular.
It didn’t bode well for Vargas when Dodgers manager Dave Roberts recently indicated Mookie Betts would take over second base as his primary position in 2024. However, it appears the Dodgers aren’t ready to give up on Vargas quite yet.
According to Juan Toribio of MLB.com, Vargas’s right-handed bat might be counted on to contribute as part of a platoon, perhaps shifting him between the infield and left field throughout the season.
Giving Miguel Vargas more reps in left field will also be something Los Angeles tries this spring. Vargas struggled offensively in his first extended taste of the Majors last season, but the Dodgers still believe the former top prospect can be a key contributor at the big league level.
Per Juan Toribio of MLB.com
Going into the 2023 season, Vargas was a highly touted infielder in the Dodgers’ organization. He earned his first major league promotion late in 2022, and ostensibly had little to prove at the Triple-A level. He slashed .304/.404/.511 for Oklahoma City in 2022, his fourth consecutive year with a batting average above .300 in the minor leagues.
However, Vargas’ bat failed to translate to the big leagues. He slashed just .195/.305/.367 for the Dodgers last year, striking out 61 times in 81 games. Betts took over as the primary second baseman in June, and Vargas was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City in July. Trades for Kiké Hernandez and Amed Rosario further pushed Vargas out of the picture, and he finished the season at Triple-A.
If Vargas can bounce back in 2024, it could be a difference-maker for a Dodgers roster that is longer on left-handed bats.
As it currently stands, the Dodgers’ infield features Freddie Freeman, Betts, Gavin Lux, Max Muncy and Miguel Rojas. Betts is the only right-handed hitter among the projected starters, while Rojas is available to rotate as a backup at second base, shortstop, and third. Chris Taylor, primarily an outfielder now, has experience at each of those positions as well.
Vargas’ defense at second base probably did little to persuade the Dodgers to extend his leash. According to the Outs Above Average metric, Vargas was among the worst second basemen in MLB last year. Defensive Runs Saved and UZR were not much kinder to his fielding at the position.
If a move to left field allows Vargas to reset in 2024 and maximize his potential on offense and defense, the Dodgers could still find a place for the 24-year-old former prospect in the majors.
Photo Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
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There are players that are meant for the majors, and some that are just really good minor leaguers. Vargas is a great minor leaguer. But striking out 3 out of every 4 times at the plate tells me he has an upper limit.
It could be that breaking his hand being hit by a pitch ruined his entire year. He will get one more chance if he can play left field. Busch needs to play left field too .They haven’t traded either one of them yet.
Its true that breaking his hand hurt him last year. But he is out of position no matter what. First base is his best position and no matter what, he is not going to replace Freddy Freeman. Si I doubt he stays with the main team no matter how he does in the spring, if he gets that far. The right deal just hasn’t come along yet. Waiting for Shane Beiber to be traded and then we will see if Busch, Vargas and Gavin Stone are still with the team or not.
Lux (2019), Vargas (2022) and Busch (2023) were AAA players of the year. These guys have to be given a few chances in MLB. Lots of really good MLB players started slowly. Lux must be given a chance at shortstop. Busch and Vargas can platoon in LF. Together they might produce as well as any free agent currently available, except Bellinger (and they might be as productive as he might be, given his production in 2021 and 2022). [Or trade one or both as part of a trade for Burnes or Shane Bieber.] And sign Soto for LF or RF after the 2024 season and Sasaki as a starter then, too.
I have never seen what others do with this kid. Sure the Minor League numbers were nice in 2022 but I just don’t see him being an impact Major Leaguer. I’m rooting for him and hopefully he shows me that I’m wrong and becomes a perennial All Star.
From what I saw last year, he looked like a boy among men. Seemed like he couldn’t hit MLB pitching and had hands of stone. Not a great combo. I guess he was hurt, if everything you do hurts, you’re not going to do it well. Hopefully this year he’s in better health and the difference is obvious. Not holding my breath, but I hope for him and the club.