Miguel Vargas was named the Los Angeles Dodgers’ 2022 Minor League Player of the Year by Baseball America.
Vargas began the year with Triple-A Oklahoma City and represented the organization in the 2022 Futures Game at Dodger Stadium. He was coming off a breakout 2021 campaign that saw him earn Branch Rickey Minor League Player of the Year honors.
After continuing to excel with OKC in the second half, Vargas joined the Dodgers for a road series against the San Francisco Giants. He went 2-for-4 with a double and two RBI in his MLB debut on Aug. 3.
Vargas played in one more game before returning to OKC for the rest of August. When rosters expanded in September, he was called up to the Majors for his second stint with the Dodgers.
Vargas hit an overall .304/.402/.511 with 17 home runs, 82 RBI, 99 runs scored and 16 stolen bases across 112 games for Oklahoma City this season.
In 12 games with the Dodgers, Vargas has collected seven hits in 39 at-bats. Although he has struggled at the plate, manager Dave Roberts said Vargas could ultimately play his way onto the Dodgers postseason roster.
Albert Pujols congratulated Miguel Vargas on first home run
Vargas has hit safely in three of the past four games, which included delivering a go-ahead infield single and days later his first career home run.
Vargas’ homer came while the St. Louis Cardinals were playing at Dodger Stadium, which led to Albert Pujols congratulating the heralded Dodgers prospect.
“I didn’t have the words to talk to him,” Vargas admitted when recalling the exchange at first base. “I’m looking at him like, ‘Wow. I’ve got Albert Pujols on my side.’ I got super excited for it.”
Are you following Dodger Blue on Instagram? It’s the best way to see exclusive coverage from games and events, get your questions answered, and more!
