How Does Mookie Betts Playing Second Base Affect Dodgers Prospects Miguel Vargas, Michael Busch?

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts made waves on Monday when he announced the team was moving Mookie Betts to second base permanently. This news brings with it many implications for the off-season. Easily lost in the shuffle are the fates of the Dodgers’ top position-player prospects, Miguel Vargas and Michael Busch.

Miguel Vargas 2023 Season

Last year, the team went with a “youth movement” approach. They started a plethora of rookies both in the field and in the pitching rotation, with Miguel Vargas leading the charge. Unfortunately, the year did not go as anyone – least of all Vargas – planned.

The team gave Vargas plenty of runway. The Dodgers’ front office and field staff needed to see if he could be their second baseman of the future. After 81 games, the verdict was in: Vargas was demoted to AAA Oklahoma City after he struggled to produce at the plate. He managed to slash just .195/.305/.672 in the first half, while also showing some early struggles in the field.

It’s worth noting that Vargas did sustain a broken finger early in spring training. This seemed to affect his swing and approach at the plate during the season.

Michael Busch 2023 Season

A team tends to tell people what they think of a prospect based on how they treat said prospect. This approach could not be more true for Busch.

A talented left-handed hitter, Busch, has nothing left to prove at the AAA level. While bouncing between the majors and minor leagues, he hit a whopping 27 home runs with a 1.049 OPS in AAA last year. One would expect the Dodgers to try and find extensive playing time for a hitter of that caliber, but for one reason or another, it didn’t happen.

Busch only appeared in 27 games with the big club last year. During that time he struggled to find his swing at the plate, (.549 OPS, 45 OPS+). Admittedly, bouncing around leagues and not getting consistent at-bats can negatively affect a player’s performance.

The Dodgers had some opportunities to give Busch more at-bats, but elected not to. When JD Martinez was injured and Max Muncy landed on the paternity list in April, Busch was promoted for the first time, but didn’t play much thereafter. In the few starts he did get, he was typically benched when a left-handed pitcher came into the game.

Later, Busch had an extended stint with the Dodgers beginning Aug. 22 when Martinez again hit the IL. For a second time, the team did not utilize Busch in favor of letting him just sit on the roster not getting at-bats.

What Will the Dodgers Do With Vargas and Busch?

With the announcement that Betts will be manning second base next year, the fates of Vargas and Busch are in question. The rest of the infield positions are locked up. The Dodgers recently extended the contract of Max Muncy, are penciling in Gavin Lux to return as the starting shortstop and have no cause to move Freddie Freeman off first base.

As currently constructed, the roster has an opening in left field. Both of these players have some, but not much, experience in the corner outfield. They will likely need to familiarize themselves with the position to see more playing time.

Both players possess great hit tools, and could theoretically form a lefty/righty DH tandem if the Dodgers’ pursuit of Shohei Ohtani falls short. Although that scenario seems unlikely given the Dodgers’ intense pursuit of Ohtani, Busch and Vargas headlined a farm system loaded with talent prior to their debuts. This also makes them enticing trade chips.

Vargas and/or Busch could headline a trade package that would bring in high-level, major-league talent. With a desperate need for a starting pitcher, one or both players could see themselves traded for a starting pitcher such as Dylan Cease, Tyler Glasnow, or Corbin Burnes.

Wherever they play in 2024, the future for Vargas and Busch looks bright. Each possesses a hit tool that will earn them everyday playing time on a roster. Whether or not that roster is in L.A. remains to be seen.

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