Share Video

Link copied!
Player Outlook
Miguel Vargas was a trendy pick in 2023 fantasy drafts as news emerged that he would be the Dodgers' Opening Day second baseman, but by mid-July he was back in the minors, where he remained for the remainder of the campaign. The heralded prospect struggled to a .195/.305/.367 slash line over 81 games, and the demotion came after he batted a paltry .079 (5-for-63) over his final 23 contests. Despite the disappointing stat line, there are reasons to believe that Vargas can succeed at the MLB level. He demonstrated refined plate discipline while up with the big club, posting a hearty 12.5 percent walk rate and a respectable 20.1 percent strikeout rate along with a borderline-elite 20.8 percent chase rate, per Statcast. Vargas didn't hit the ball hard consistently, but it's promising that of his 50 big-league hits last year, over half went for extra bases. Importantly, Vargas didn't sulk after being sent down, instead extending his run of minor-league success with an .886 OPS and 10 homers over 60 Triple-A contests. Los Angeles filled the void at second base following Vargas' demotion primarily by transitioning Mookie Betts from right field, and the experiment went smoothly enough that Betts will likely see considerable time at the keystone again in 2024. While that could limit Vargas' opportunities at the position, it may also mean that he gets reps in the corner outfield, where he logged some time down the stretch in the minors last season. It's unlikely that he'll be handed the keys to a starting spot out the gate as he was last year, but the Dodgers clearly still see Vargas as a part of their future, and he could earn a substantial role with a strong spring.

Fantasy Stats

Year fpts
Fantasy Points
fpts/g
Fantasy Points per Game
r
Runs
hr
Home Runs
rbi
Runs Batted In
bb
Base on Balls (Walk)
sb
Stolen Bases
avg
Batting Average
2024 .000
2023 177.52.2 36 7 32 38 3 .195
2022 21.51.2 4 1 8 2 1 .170
3y Avg. 99.52 20 4 20 20 2 .191

Fantasy News

  • Dodgers' Miguel Vargas: Optioned to Triple-A

    Vargas was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City by the Dodgers on Saturday, J.P. Hoornstra of DodgersNation.com reports. Vargas traveled with the Dodgers to South Korea for their upcoming series versus the Padres, but he will not be on the active roster. The 24-year-old has been working out in left field this spring and figures to continue playing the outfield while at OKC.
    ... See More ... See Less
  • Dodgers' Miguel Vargas: Entering camp as left fielder

    Vargas is coming into Dodgers camp as a left fielder, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports. Vargas has been an infielder primarily but has played a little left field the previous two seasons. Whether this is a permanent position switch or just getting the 24-year-old more comfortable in the spot where he has the best shot to see action in 2024 is not clear. Vargas is likely headed to Triple-A Oklahoma City to begin this season either way, as Teoscar Hernandez is pegged as the Dodgers' regular left fielder.
    ... See More ... See Less
  • Dodgers' Miguel Vargas: Might play more outfield

    Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes said Wednesday that Vargas could see more action in the outfield moving forward, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports. Vargas slumped his way out of the second base job in Los Angeles before the midway point of the 2023 season and the Dodgers have grown more comfortable using Mookie Betts at that position, especially against right-handed pitching. Vargas, accordingly, is going to have to find a different avenue to get back to a regular major-league role in 2024. The 23-year-old boasts a .310/.392/.487 career minor-league batting line and remains an important long-term piece for the reigning NL West champs. He made seven starts in left field down the stretch this summer with Triple-A Oklahoma City.
    ... See More ... See Less
  • Dodgers' Miguel Vargas: Optioned amid slump

    Vargas was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Sunday, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports. The Dodgers' top prospect entering the season, Vargas is slashing .146/.273/.293 with two home runs and one steal in 29 games since June 1. His 21 percent strikeout rate and 13 percent walk rate are right in line with expectations, but he has been a bit unlucky on balls in play this season (.224 BABIP) and could maybe use a mental reset. Chris Taylor (knee) is expected to be activated from the injured list after the All-Star break.
    ... See More ... See Less
  • Dodgers' Miguel Vargas: Not in lineup Friday

    Vargas is not in the lineup Friday versus the Angels. Mookie Betts will make his 19th start of the year at second base, and it's his sixth start there in the Dodgers' last 12 games. Vargas hit a double in Thursday's win over the Dodgers but holds a disappointing .197/.300/.370 slash line over 299 plate appearances.
    ... See More ... See Less
  • Dodgers' Miguel Vargas: Sitting again Wednesday

    Vargas remains out of the lineup Wednesday versus the Pirates. Vargas was also absent from the Dodgers' starting lineup Tuesday and went 0-for-2 with two strikeouts off the bench as his season slash line dipped to .195/.299/.367. Mookie Betts will draw another nod at second base Wednesday.
    ... See More ... See Less
  • Dodgers' Miguel Vargas: Sitting amid struggles

    Vargas is not in the lineup Tuesday against the Pirates. Mookie Betts will start at second base and bat leadoff versus the Pirates and right-hander Luis Ortiz. Vargas went 0-for-3 with three strikeouts in Monday's series opener and is slashing just .197/.301/.369 through 294 plate appearances this season.
    ... See More ... See Less
  • Dodgers' Miguel Vargas: Out of lineup Tuesday

    Vargas is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Rockies, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports. Vargas has really struggled as of late, and the Dodgers will go with Mookie Betts at second base against Colorado on Tuesday with Max Muncy (hamstring) coming off the injured list to play third. There have been flashes of brilliance from Vargas in his rookie season, but he's in danger of losing more playing time if the lack of offensive production persists.
    ... See More ... See Less
  • Dodgers' Miguel Vargas: Not starting Sunday

    Vargas is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Astros, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports. Vargas started the past eight games and will receive a day to regroup after he went 1-for-29 during that stretch. Mookie Betts will come in to play second base while Jason Heyward starts in right field.
    ... See More ... See Less
  • Dodgers' Miguel Vargas: Ends slump with homer

    Vargas went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Wednesday's 2-0 win over the Angels. Vargas had gone 0-for-20 over his last six games and came up empty in his first three at-bats Wednesday before knocking a ninth-inning solo shot. It snapped an 11-game homer drought for the infielder. He continues to see regular playing time, but he's slashing just .207/.309/.388 with seven homers, 30 RBI, 32 runs scored and three stolen bases over 69 contests. Vargas also struck out three times Wednesday, but he's displayed a decent eye at the plate with a 19.9 percent strikeout rate and a 12.4 percent walk rate on the year.
    ... See More ... See Less
  • Dodgers' Miguel Vargas: Out of lineup

    Vargas will sit Saturday against the Phillies, Kirsten Watson of SportsNet LA reports. Vargas went hitless in Friday's series opener but reached base twice on a pair of walks. His eye has been his biggest strength in his first full major-league season, with his 13.0 percent walk rate helping him to a 110 wRC+ despite his modest .231 batting average and six homers. Mookie Betts will move in to play second base in Vargas' absence, with Jason Heyward taking Betts' usual spot in right field.
    ... See More ... See Less
  • Dodgers' Miguel Vargas: Goes deep Wednesday

    Vargas went 2-for-4 with a double, a home run and two total RBI in a loss to the Reds on Wednesday. Vargas blasted a solo shot to center field in the second inning and added a run-scoring double in the third. The rookie extended his modest hitting streak to five games, during which he's slashing .429/.529/.857 with three extra-base hits, three RBI and a steal. Vargas didn't hit his first homer until his 25th game of the campaign, but he's perked up a bit since with six long balls across his past 33 contests.
    ... See More ... See Less
  • Dodgers' Miguel Vargas: Swipes bag in loss

    Vargas went 1-for-3 with a walk and a stolen base in Tuesday's loss to the Reds. Vargas walked and stole his third base of the year in the sixth and later notched a base hit in the eighth. The 23-year-old has recorded a hit in each of his first four games in June and also has a 3:3 BB:K over that span. Vargas has endured growing pains over the course of his first full MLB season but will continue to see the lion's share of starts at second base. He's slashing .228/.333/.413 with five homers, 26 RBI, 28 runs and a 28:43 BB:K over 216 plate appearances.
    ... See More ... See Less
  • Dodgers' Miguel Vargas: Sitting Saturday

    Vargas isn't in the Dodgers' lineup Saturday against the Yankees, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports. Vargas holds just a .468 OPS over the past week, so he'll get a day off Saturday against Gerrit Cole and the Yankees. Mookie Betts will take Vargas' place at second base, allowing Jason Heyward to start in left field and bat sixth.
    ... See More ... See Less
  • Dodgers' Miguel Vargas: Swats fifth homer

    Vargas went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in a 6-5 win against the Rays on Saturday. Vargas provided what proved to be a crucial insurance run in the eighth inning with his 408-foot solo shot. The long ball snapped a 12-game homerless drought for the rookie dating back to May 10. That was the second prolonged power outage for Vargas this season -- he failed to go deep in his first 24 contests of the campaign, then proceeded to hit four homers over his next 12 games.
    ... See More ... See Less
  • Dodgers' Miguel Vargas: Sitting Tuesday

    Vargas isn't in the Dodgers' lineup for Tuesday's game against Atlanta. Vargas is slashing .250/.308/.333 over the past week and will get a breather Tuesday against Spencer Strider. Mookie Betts will come in to start at second base Tuesday, and Jason Heyward will start in right field while batting sixth.
    ... See More ... See Less
  • Dodgers' Miguel Vargas: Out of lineup Tuesday

    Vargas is out of the lineup Tuesday against the Twins. Mookie Betts will play second base and hit leadoff to facilitate a fully lefty-hitting outfield for Los Angeles. Vargas went 2-for-5 with a double in Monday's series opener versus Minnesota and boasts a .935 OPS over his last 48 plate appearances.
    ... See More ... See Less
  • Dodgers' Miguel Vargas: Goes yard in second straight

    Vargas went 1-for-5 with a two-run home run in Wednesday's 8-1 win over the Brewers. He took Wade Miley deep in the sixth inning to help chase the veteran southpaw from the game. Vargas has had a slow start to 2023 due to the broken finger he suffered in spring training, but he appears to be getting comfortable at the plate -- the 23-year-old has homered in back-to-back games, with three of his four long balls on the year coming in the last eight contests.
    ... See More ... See Less
  • Dodgers' Miguel Vargas: Receives rare day off

    Vargas is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Brewers, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports. After closing the Dodgers' weekend series in San Diego with an 0-for-8 showing at the dish over the final two games, Vargas will get a chance to rest Monday. Mookie Betts will move from the outfield to cover second base while Vargas hits the bench for the first time since April 27.
    ... See More ... See Less
  • Dodgers' Miguel Vargas: Sleeper hitters for Week 7 (May 8-14)

    Miguel Vargas looks to be heating up finally with two home runs and a four-hit game over the past week. The Dodgers' matchups are middling, but if you've been itching to use him, now is a good time, particularly in a points league.
    ... See More ... See Less

Recent Tweets