Top 5 call-up candidates for Dodgers' expanded September rosters

No. 4: Miguel Vargas

You might assume that Vargas would be way higher on this list, given that he has been in the majors through the majority of the season, but like many Dodgers position-playing prospects, it is hard to find a spot that fits Vargas. The Dodgers' trade deadline moves made it even tougher to accommodate him. The additions of Amed Rosario and Kiké Hernández have decreased the amount of available playing time for middle infielders (although Kiké can always play anywhere on the field), as well as the emergence of Mookie Betts playing second base more often. Regardless of the congestion at Vargas' primary MLB position in 2023, he could force his way back onto the roster if he continues to play well at Triple-A.

Of course, Vargas struggled at the end of his tenure with Los Angeles, posting a .149 AVG and .570 OPS across 67 ABs in June, and a .133 AVG and .533 OPS in 15 ABs at the beginning of July, but he has been good since being sent down to Triple-A. Vargas has a .301/.405/.473 slash line, good enough for an .878 OPS. However, his power numbers are slightly down from where they were last year at Triple-A, and when you mix that combination with a very high strikeout rate (26.0%) and the lack of positions open in the infield for the Dodgers, it becomes a lot harder to envision Vargas being called back up, barring an injury to Rosario or Miguel Rojas.