Article: Vargas Patiently Waiting For Another Shot

[Nick Nelson]

Following an impressive rookie showing in 2014, the Twins hoped that Kennys Vargas would develop into a fixture at designated hitter for them this season. Unfortunately, he failed in two separate chances and has now been in the minors since early July.

 

As Mike Radcliff stated in Parker Hageman's excellent article on Max Kepler, sometimes "it takes patience" with prospects, and patience is exactly what could get Vargas back to the big leagues in September.The slugger exhibited a consistently bad plate approach during his first two stints with the big club, striking out 48 times with only seven walks in 166 appearances. He swung frequently at pitches outside the zone but made contact only 49.6 percent of the time – only three qualified hitters in baseball have a lower rate.

 

Pitchers made simple adjustments and Vargas became an easy out. During his second turn with the Twins this year, after returning from a May demotion to Rochester, the switch-hitter struck out 18 times in 54 plate appearances and didn't draw a single walk. It was ugly. The front office became so frustrated that they bumped him all the way back to Double-A, even though he'd crushed at Rochester earlier in in the season. There were rumblings that he may have exhausted his opportunities with the organization.

 

When the Twins sent Vargas down to Chattanooga, he was given a clear directive: take better at-bats. It was the only way he was going to turn around his suddenly fledgling career. And to his credit, Vargas has just done that.

 

In 51 games between Double-A and Triple-A since his latest demotion, he has struck out 46 times with 39 walks in 219 plate appearances. That's a 17.8 percent walk rate, which is a huge improvement over his previous 10.6 percent mark in the minors, and obviously dwarves his 4.8 percent rate in the majors.

 

This has enabled Vargas to post an excellent .416 OBP even though his hitting has been good-not-great (.274 average and .491 slugging percentage).

 

We all know that the big Puerto Rican, whose size and swing have been compared to David Ortiz, is a terror when he makes contact, capable of crushing the ball as hard as anyone in the league. Working the count has been an issue, but the numbers since he was last shipped down serve as a hopeful harbinger that he's ready to take a step forward in that department. Obviously there's a huge difference between the pitching in Double-A/Triple-A and the majors, especially for a 25-year-old with considerable MLB experience, but Vargas has clearly taken to heart the need for improved strike zone control. He's never shown this kind of patience in his career, at any level.

 

And so I don't think I'm alone when I say I'd like to see Vargas get another shot. Unfortunately, the guy who replaced him at DH isn't going anywhere. Miguel Sano has shown the type of discipline at the plate that was amiss for Vargas, and he's also putting together one of the most impressive power displays for a 22-year-old rookie in the game's history. With Joe Mauer and Trevor Plouffe entrenched at the infield corners, it's tough to see a path to regular playing time for Vargas, barring injury.

 

Still, you have to think that the Twins, who are very much in the postseason mix as we approach September call-up season, would love to have Vargas' intimidating bat available for occasional starts and – more importantly – pinch-hitting duty down the stretch.

 

If the 25-year-old can turn things around, it will go down as a perfect example of how patience can pay off – both for player and organization.

 

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[mumoo13]

It will be great to have him up as the first pinch-hitter off the bench. And he is a good reason why we should strongly consider trading Plouffe in the offseason.

[HitInAPinch]

Nice article, Nick.

 

Kennys Vargas is  #2 of 3 that were holding their own HR derby in Spring Training when it was supposed to be batting practice.  All 3 paid the price when they got sent down.  And again, when need arisen, when Eddie Rosario was called up before them.  Sano was #1;  Arcia #3. 

 

There are a lot of similarities between Vargas and Ortiz.  Both are BIG for baseball players.  Vargas is HUGE.  It sounds like he's getting it together.  I think [ got not stats ] that it takes large player longer to develop a consistent swing and approach than most. 

 

That being said, I don't like calling up Vargas to be a pinch hitter at all.  My view of a pinch hitter is a high-contact/walk person. He's been hitting better, not great.  I don't believe a Sept. call-up is warranted.  If he finishes strong this year, he gets to fight for a roster spot in 2016 Spring Training.

[Platoon]

If Plouffe and Hunter aren't gone next year the whole roster construction remains the mess it currently is. This is not a commentary on Plouffes ability. He is the odd man out. Sano will field like Plouffe did 2 years ago, and like Plouffe will likely improve. This could be a special team by mid 2016, if TR makes some tough decisions.

[Shane Wahl]

 

Nice article, Nick.

 

Kennys Vargas is  #2 of 3 that were holding their own HR derby in Spring Training when it was supposed to be batting practice.  All 3 paid the price when they got sent down.  And again, when need arisen, when Eddie Rosario was called up before them.  Sano was #1;  Arcia #3. 

 

There are a lot of similarities between Vargas and Ortiz.  Both are BIG for baseball players.  Vargas is HUGE.  It sounds like he's getting it together.  I think [ got not stats ] that it takes large player longer to develop a consistent swing and approach than most. 

 

That being said, I don't like calling up Vargas to be a pinch hitter at all.  My view of a pinch hitter is a high-contact/walk person. He's been hitting better, not great.  I don't believe a Sept. call-up is warranted.  If he finishes strong this year, he gets to fight for a roster spot in 2016 Spring Training.

Like, what? Forget September, how is Vargas not up for this series? I don't understand your post here at all. He has been *batting* great (one key point in the article above!) even if the batting average is "only" .282. How about last night? Chris Herrmann pinch hit for Byron Buxton for Christ's sake!

Vargas has posted a .908 OPS in the minors this season. How is he not on the roster as this team tries to make the playoffs?

[Seth Stohs]

 

Like, what? Forget September, how is Vargas not up for this series? I don't understand your post here at all. He has been *batting* great (one key point in the article above!) even if the batting average is "only" .282. How about last night? Chris Herrmann pinch hit for Byron Buxton for Christ's sake!

Vargas has posted a .908 OPS in the minors this season. How is he not on the roster as this team tries to make the playoffs?

 

Makes sense instead of four lefty relievers... and they still have a 13-man pitching staff. I'd think there'd be a move Aug. 31... and they could now.

[Twins7]

If Plouffe and Hunter aren't gone next year the whole roster construction remains the mess it currently is. This is not a commentary on Plouffes ability. He is the odd man out. Sano will field like Plouffe did 2 years ago, and like Plouffe will likely improve. This could be a special team by mid 2016, if TR makes some tough decisions.

Yeah, I've been thinking that plouffe ought to be traded, but I saw a post recently that suggested that he was top-3 in the MLB in some defensive stats measuring range... That gives me pause. I agree, though, that there's a logjam with plouffe, Mauer, and Sano on the team, and Vargas and Arcia in the minors. Plus, the OF is stacked with Buxton, hicks, Rosario and Kepler waiting in the wings. The best way, IMO to deal with this logjam would be to deal plouffe and an OF for a good young catcher, or perhaps a good young pitcher. Tough deal, though. It'll be interesting to see how it all shakes out at the corners, OF, and DH next season...

[theBOMisthebomb]

It sure would have been nice to have him there to pinch hit last night.

[kab21]

 

 

That being said, I don't like calling up Vargas to be a pinch hitter at all.  My view of a pinch hitter is a high-contact/walk person. He's been hitting better, not great.  I don't believe a Sept. call-up is warranted.  If he finishes strong this year, he gets to fight for a roster spot in 2016 Spring Training.

 

My view of a pinch hitter is that he should be able to hit.  Vargas is probably my first choice (or Kepler) as a bench bat.

 

Ozzie Arcia what has happened to you?  6 for 70 in August.  3 HR's.  20K's  2BB's  I just hope you can make it to spring training with the team and redeem yourself.

[MileHighTwinsFan]

If Vargas had come close to matching his numbers from last year, Plouffe may already be gone.  Until Vargas proves he is ready for the DH job full time, I see the team sticking with Plouffe for another year.

 

With things as they are right now, it is hard to see how Hunter makes this team next year - despite all he brings to the clubhouse.   

 

I do worry that losing Hunter and Plouffe would set the team back a bit in terms of a veteran presence in the clubhouse.  Dozier would have to carry the emotional load on that front, which might be a bit much for the guy.

[Badsmerf]

I'd much rather they trade Mauer and put Sano at 1b... but that likely isn't going to happen. Maybe the Rockies will trade contracts and take Mauer for Reyes...

[d-mac]

 

I'd much rather they trade Mauer and put Sano at 1b... but that likely isn't going to happen. Maybe the Rockies will trade contracts and take Mauer for Reyes...

 

Why? Escobar is younger, cheaper and likely a better SS going forward. 

[d-mac]

I'm still not sold on Vargas. He's still going to strike out a lot and has never managed to translate his raw power into game power. Not to mention the uphill battle a power hitting switch hitter has to nail down the mechanics on two swings. I just don't think he'll hit enough to justify being a full time DH. 

[ShouldaCouldaWoulda]

I PERSONALLY hope that the Twins bring up Vargas in September. I also would like to see him starting at DH vs RHP's at least 50% of the time, while sitting Plouffe, and moving Sano to 3B. The more smart platooning we start to do the better. 

 

It will be interesting to see how many OF's are up in September, and how appropriately they will all be platooned and placed in the lineup. Lineups should not look the same vs RHP's and LHP's.

 

On Varas though, I think he hits way too many ground balls, which will make the MLB shift his nightmare. Maybe he isn't getting shifted as much in the minors, but in the majors, he is a shift casualty.

Edited August 28, 2015 by ShouldaCouldaWoulda

[Nick Nelson]

 

I'm still not sold on Vargas. He's still going to strike out a lot and has never managed to translate his raw power into game power.

I wouldn't say that's true. He has 14 HR in 400 MLB PA, which translates to about a 20-HR full-season pace. Not bad for a 25-year-old. It is the other aspects of his game that have lagged. 

[HitInAPinch]

 

My view of a pinch hitter is that he should be able to hit.  Vargas is probably my first choice (or Kepler) as a bench bat.

 

Ozzie Arcia what has happened to you?  6 for 70 in August.  3 HR's.  20K's  2BB's  I just hope you can make it to spring training with the team and redeem yourself.

There was a guy who play for the Twins a long-ish time ago who was referred to as a "professional hitter".  I can't remember his name, but he was a really good contact / clutch hitter.  Crowley, maybe?  Anyway, that's the type of hitter I'd want on the bench to pinch hit.  Vargas isn't a contact hitter.

 

[Dr. Evil]

I would not mind if Hunter stayed around next year as a bench bat. He would have ben a better pinch hit option than what we have now. It's sort of a shame that bench bats and bullpen don't seem to be given much attention.

[dxpavelka]

Agree with the need  for a patient approach.  I preached all off-season and well into the the spring & summer about the need for just that with Hicks.  Sometimes you've got to give talented hitters a thousand big league plate appearances before giving up on  or cutting them loose.  At the time Hicks had less than 600 such appearances and Vargas has less than 400.  As far as where he fits, he's your DH, unless Arcia (who also fits the under a thousand appearances mark and thus is still deserving of another shot) overtakes him.  No need to jettison Plouffe either.  Put the kid at 3B, Vargas and / or Arcia at DH with Vargas rotating in at 1B on occassion.  Give Plouffe 5 starts a week between the 2 corner IF & OF spots & DH.  Too many good bats is not a problem for this team yet.

Edited August 28, 2015 by dxpavelka

[LimestoneBaggy]

 

There was a guy who play for the Twins a long-ish time ago who was referred to as a "professional hitter".  I can't remember his name, but he was a really good contact / clutch hitter.  Crowley, maybe?  Anyway, that's the type of hitter I'd want on the bench to pinch hit.  Vargas isn't a contact hitter.

I can see how you want a high contact/walk player, but the bench isn't one guy. Here you have an absolute masher....that's a switch hitter (with okay splits....just okay, but still). You can have both guys on this type of a bench. For the love of all that's holy, please give this guy the call. He might suck again, but Hermann for Buxton (I'm not against PH for Buxton in that spot, but HERMANN????????).

[kab21]

 

There was a guy who play for the Twins a long-ish time ago who was referred to as a "professional hitter".  I can't remember his name, but he was a really good contact / clutch hitter.  Crowley, maybe?  Anyway, that's the type of hitter I'd want on the bench to pinch hit.  Vargas isn't a contact hitter.

I remember Gene Larkin (and also Randy Bush) fitting your profile but the problem is that they don't have that guy and their PH options are Nunez, Herrmann and Robinson.  I will take Vargas over option A, option B and option C from either side of the plate everyday of the week.

[MileHighTwinsFan]

 

I would not mind if Hunter stayed around next year as a bench bat. He would have ben a better pinch hit option than what we have now. It's sort of a shame that bench bats and bullpen don't seem to be given much attention.

 

Not sure Hunter sticks around to start once a week and pinch hit.  I think he would find a gig somewhere else or retire before becoming a bench bat.

[gocgo]

 

If Plouffe and Hunter aren't gone next year the whole roster construction remains the mess it currently is. This is not a commentary on Plouffes ability. He is the odd man out. Sano will field like Plouffe did 2 years ago, and like Plouffe will likely improve. This could be a special team by mid 2016, if TR makes some tough decisions.

Why not keep Plouffe and play him at 1st base or keep him at 3rd and convert Sano to 1st?  To me, Mauer is the odd man out.  Tell me what team has a light hitting first baseman batting .260?

[howieramone2]

Mauer is not going anywhere. They will keep Plouffe at 3B and Sano at the DH until they find a primary DH who can put up around .270, plus 25-30 bombs. They may do it next season or even the season after. Vargas or Arcia at one time were the obvious candidates. They won't move Plouffe until they have a solid weapon at DH. 

[TheLeviathan]

I think trading Plouffe this offeason should be number one on the list.  At least attempting to find a good deal to do that.  

 

Open up DH for Vargas, Arcia, and Kepler to fight over and let's really dive into competing with this group.  Could be one hell of a fun lineup if they did that.  

[mikelink45]

Hicks showed what patience can produce.  Bring Vargas up in Sep and let him demonstrate his improved approach.

 

[HitInAPinch]

 

There was a guy who play for the Twins a long-ish time ago who was referred to as a "professional hitter".  I can't remember his name, but he was a really good contact / clutch hitter.  Crowley, maybe?  Anyway, that's the type of hitter I'd want on the bench to pinch hit.  Vargas isn't a contact hitter.

The guy I was thinking of was Jim Dwyer. 

[blairpaul715]

 

I think trading Plouffe this offeason should be number one on the list.  At least attempting to find a good deal to do that.  

 

Open up DH for Vargas, Arcia, and Kepler to fight over and let's really dive into competing with this group.  Could be one hell of a fun lineup if they did that.  

I like this idea, BUT, if neither Vargas or Arcia can handle the DH duties, I would prefer keeping Plouffe, untill we do find someone to DH other than Sano, when that happens then I would be more inclined to trade Plouffe.........with that said if we get someone willing to overpay just a little even, then I would trade Plouffe and take my chances with Arcia or Vargas coming thru.

[DocBauer]

Vargas could be a key component going forward. Seems we say that a lot these days with so many good young ballplayers rising up through the system, but it's true.

 

I am on record as to not being opposed to trading Plouffe, but I'd rather keep him and his bat to play 1B/3B/DH with Sano and Mauer. However, finding a full-size DH like Vargas, changes the lineup.

 

If,at least at first, he doesn't mash but could still hit .270-ish with a .315-.320-ish OB while cranking 30 Dbls and 25 HR-----ish, he gives the lineup a lift and makes Plouffe expendable.

[OleJC]

The absolute love for Plouffe and hatred for Mauer continues to baffle me. Joe is having an AWFUL year, no doubt, but does 10-15 million in somebody else's money matter that much? Next year, when Plouffe makes 8-10 mil after arbitration, here is what you're getting for that much less than what Joe makes: 25 points less in batting average, 35 points less in OBP, same amount of 2Bs, less walks, similar RBIs if their positions were switched in the order (Plouffe wouldn't have Joe or Sano to drive in) but 1 more HR every 2 weeks! (all that matters to some people) And that comparison is an average Plouffe year to Mauer's career worst year. Bottom line, trading Plouffe can net something that really improves our team. Do we really think we can't replace .245/.307/.419 with 15-18 homers using Vargas/Arcia at DH??

[sane]

Prediction for call-ups Tuesday:

PITCHERS: DARNELL(L), TONKIN®, MEYER®

CATCHERS: PINTO, FRYER

INFIELDERS: VARGAS, D.SANTANA

OUTFIELDERS: HICKS