Dodgers News: Miguel Vargas Has His Eye on a Playoff Roster Spot
Last night the Dodgers earned win number 108 on the season. The hero of the game — aside from the light’s-out work from the bullpen — was utility man, Miguel Vargas. The rookie connected on a three-run single that proved to be the difference maker in the final matchup between the Dodgers and Padres in the regular season.
After the game, Vargas spoke with SNLA’s Kirsten Watson about his big night at the dish. He also revealed that his family, who missed his first career home run game over the weekend, was in the stands for this one. In that interview, he played it mostly humble. He’s enjoying his time in the big leagues and is trying to take advantage of the opportunities given.
But after, he added that he’s playing with the postseason on his mind.
“I want to be there and I want to win the ring, of course,” Vargas said. “But that’s not my job. My job is to stay ready.”
Don’t look now, but Miggy is heating up at a time when few others are stepping up. Over his last five games, the 22-year-old is 5-17 (.294) with 6 runs batted in. He’s cut down his strikeout rate and is looking more comfortable in the box.
By all accounts, the longshot of him making the postseason roster isn’t as far-fetched as it seems.
“His name is certainly in the mix to make the roster,” said manager Dave Roberts. “All Miguel can do is respond when given opportunities.”
But, in reality, the chances of Vargas actually making the team appear minuscule. None of Mookie Betts, Trea Turner, Freddie Freeman, Max Muncy, Will Smith, or Justin Turner are in danger of losing their spot. Cody Bellinger is a lock, as are Austin Barnes and Trayce Thompson. Chris Taylor, despite his struggles, is one of Dave’s guys, so that plus his track record guarantees he’s on the roster.
The only player where you could consider it a toss up is fellow utility man, Hanser Alberto. But Hanser has meant so much to the clubhouse culture, that it’s hard to envision the team putting him on the taxi squad after spending the entire year as the primary swiss army knife.
Vargas has six more games to make one hell of an impression.
I hope Vargas makes the post season roster and Gallo does not.
Does Villar still have a chance of coming up now n getting in line up, n maybe getting on roster??? AAA is done now I think .
Against elite pitching in the playoffs a team needs guys that will make contact, put balls in play. Vargas will do that. Gallo might hit a mistake into the stratosphere but not go the other way and hit a good pitch. Vargas will. I have a lot of respect for Gallo but he doesn’t fit when we already tow guys that do not make contact as in Taylor and Bellinger.
actually it was a two-run single, which gave him 3 RBIs for the night.
Edwin Rios is one of their best left-handed power hitters and has post-season experience, hitting 2 home runs in only 9 post-season at bats, yet he and James Outman who is tearing it up, are both languishing at triple-a, while Bellinger, Taylor, and Gallo, and even Muncy are all hitting right around .200 without much power.
Max has been better 2md half …he was hitting 169 at half. He’s hurt …he needs surgery bad!! CT3….he’s a playoff beast ! Gallo …..sorry G. Belli…..did good vs braves , n can steal HR off n over the wall. Ifcbelli csm get hot vs Astros….we need that. Next year is another story. Outsmn killed sum crappy pitching n pit jets don’t waste time on a rookie getting a couple solo hr. Outsmn will be starting somewhere in MLB next year. Hell Mayne n traded? Trayce….idk…he’s filthy. But he gets stale when u start him . He likes spot starts. That’s it