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Dodgers top prospect Miguel Vargas destroys homer off Cy Young winner Shane Bieber

ByThomas Carannante|
Mar 23, 2022; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Miguel Vargas hits a second inning home run against the Cleveland Guardians during a spring training game at Camelback Ranch-Glendale. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 23, 2022; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Miguel Vargas hits a second inning home run against the Cleveland Guardians during a spring training game at Camelback Ranch-Glendale. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

How the Los Angeles Dodgers trade their top two prospects last July and still have one of the deepest farm systems in MLB is unbelievable, but at this point it’s par for the course for Andrew Friedman and Co.

Miguel Vargas is among the names to watch during spring training this year for LA as he could hit the bigs sometime this season. He played in 83 Double-A games in 2021 and tore the cover off the ball to the tune of a .909 OPS, 16 homers and 60 RBI.

Just a few months later, the Cuban slugger is back at it. During Wednesday’s spring training contest between the Dodgers and Guardians, Vargas, who was batting seventh, took an offering from former AL Cy Young winner Shane Bieber and deposited it into the left field … lunch area?

That made it 4-2 and the Dodgers never lost the lead, eventually tacking on two more for the 6-2 victory for their first spring training win. But this absolute moon shot of a home run remains the highlight of the afternoon.

Dodgers top prospect Miguel Vargas has unreal power

Vargas is 22 years old and has played first, second and third base so far during his minor league career, with most of those reps coming at third. His defense at third could use some refining due to his career .923 fielding percentage compared to his .985 mark at first and .959 mark at second.

Nonetheless, Vargas is ranked sixth in the Dodgers’ farm system according to MLB.com and that’s because of his electric bat. His power numbers have skyrocketed since debuting as a pro back in 2018, so it looks like the time off after the canceled 2020 season really helped him.

After Wednesday’s win, Vargas was asked what position he prefers on defense, but he didn’t seem too concerned.

https://twitter.com/THEREAL_DV/status/1506752983798755329?s=20&t=1zK2klllJ-CTTdozMyaCbQ

He just wants his four at-bats per game and we’re all good. You hear that, Friedman? Gotta talk to Dave Roberts to see how he can be fit into the lineup in a few months.

Truth be told, Vargas’ eventual promotion could come at an advantageous time in the season, likely when August is taking its toll on everyone and Justin Turner needs some time off his feet at third base. If his bat is still tattooing opposing pitching like this at Triple-A, then don’t be shocked if he’s up sooner if guys like Gavin Lux, Edwin Rios and Zach McKinstry aren’t carrying their weight.

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