All About the Kids…
I would not expect Miguel Vargas to debut at 3B in Philly due to the hostile environment, but one never knows. I hear Miggy V is taking balls at 3B at a furious pace and that Dino Ebel and others are working with him. Of course, the Dodgers are not going to trade for a 3B at…
I would not expect Miguel Vargas to debut at 3B in Philly due to the hostile environment, but one never knows. I hear Miggy V is taking balls at 3B at a furious pace and that Dino Ebel and others are working with him. Of course, the Dodgers are not going to trade for a 3B at this time. Maybe it will change at the deadline, but Vargas could fill the void. He’s a couple of years older and wiser than the last time he played 3B. He has the arm, but does he have the talent?
He has 316 games at 3B in the Minor Leagues under his belt, totaling 2,732 innings. His .923 fielding percentage is not very good, but a lot of that was when he was much younger. With maturity and more confidence, it could play out differently. I am from Missouri. However, Miguel will have to show us. He is 24-years-old and will be 25 the days before my birthday. I would not expect to see him at 3B for at least several days, but that is just me.
Prospect Report
Baseball America listed 30 Prospects Generating Buzz In The Dominican Summer League, and Emil Morales is one of them:
Emil Morales, SS, Dodgers
— Baseball America
“Morales came into the DSL season with big expectations. He was the top signing this year for the Dodgers at $1,897,500 and came with exciting preseason reports on his offensive prowess. Morales has lived up to his reputation, batting .338/.471/.588 in 87 plate appearances, slugging four home runs with 17 walks and 20 strikeouts as a 17-year-old. Morales is 6-foot-3, 190 pounds with the strength and bat speed that allows him to drive the ball with some of the best raw power of any hitter in the DSL, often posting triple-digit exit velocities.
While there has been a tick higher swing-and-miss to his game, he generally has shown a mature offensive approach with a sound righthanded swing. He drives the ball with consistent loft and damage and could grow into a 25-plus home run hitter. He’s a below-average runner who has improved his first-step quickness at shortstop and has a solid-average arm, though he does have six errors in his first 13 games. The Dodgers will probably continue to develop him at shortstop, but third base seems his most likely position as he gets closer to the big leagues. “
Emil has a chance at being very special… maybe even staying at SS. Here’s some video:
Maddux Bruns – LHP
Bruns stuff has never been in question. His stuff is filthy, but the only question was, “Can he throw strikes?” He has averaged just under a walk an inning in his career. However, the Dodgers have some optimism now that Rob Hill suggested he move to the 1B side of the rubber and the results have been promising. I what is a small sample, he has already cut down his strikeouts. Even is he doesn’t make it as a starter, with fewer walks, he could become a “lockdown reliever.”
Justin Wrobleski – LHP
With his start on Sunday, he may have earned an opportunity to stay in the rotation. He has the makings of a workhorse and is very impressive. He had Tommy John three years ago, so he should be good for two to three more years. BA has this to say about him, as he is currently ranked by them as the Dodger’s #6 Prospect:
“His fastball sits 93-96 mph, touches 98, and gets ugly swings with the angle and deception he creates from a closed-off delivery and short arm stroke. His fastball occasionally flattens out when he spins out of his delivery, but it’s an above-average pitch at its best. Wrobleski has a natural feel for spin and can manipulate the shape and power of his above-average, two-plane slider anywhere from 78-86 mph. He also has an average, 87-91 mph cutter he’ll mix in. Wrobleski’s 86-90 mph changeup has progressed to become a below-average pitch that gives him just enough to handle righthanded hitters. He throws strikes with average control and works quickly.“
— Baseball America
I am looking forward to seeing him continue to grow this year. He pitched at Great Lakes last year and in 102 innings put up a 3.25 ERA. This year, he started at Tulsa, and then after 67 innings, he moved to OKC for 10 innings, and now he is in the Show. That where he needs to be… now he needs to bloom where he is planted.
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Discussion (73)
Disagree, not disagreeable
More and more I am leaning towards Robert jun too. As Cassidy said I would take the risk with his injury history. Dodgers did it with Glasnow too. Risk /Reward is worth a flyer unless the WS ask for the moon eg 3 top 10 prospects.
I would give them Outman, Rushing plus Knack. They would get a MLB ready CF to replace Robert jun, our Nr. 1 hitting prospect at a premium position in C plus a pitcher who has already proven to be a capable Nr. 3 or Nr. 4 in a MLB rotation.
IMHO that would be already an overpay on our part given Robert jun. current production and injuriy history.
If they want to expand the trade I would be willing to include Wrobleski or Ryan plus Gelof plus Martin plus Hurt for Crochet.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Dodgers wanting Vargas to play 3b means either.. 1) They really love his bat, and playing that position gets him more PA’s ..or.. 2) They’re really concerned about Muncy’s availability for the rest of this season ..or.. 3) Maybe it’s both.
I agree with Joe. Give me a bat. Give me a great defensive CF. Give me Robert Jr. His ceiling is an all star. Outman and Pages ceilings are average MLB. I’ll take the chance on his health and returning to form and if he does our October lineup would be fearsome! And Bear and I could put a side bet on that happening or not!
As long as he is not traded to another team no matter what position he plays, I had already read that Vargas is not “a great glove” at third base, well, Muncy is not a golden glove either!
The kid has done everything they’ve asked him to do, he changed positions and played 2B with injured fingers, then they put him at LF and he did it too, and it’s true that he may never become a gold glove player in any position, but at least he knows how to hit.
Leave him alone… Give him a break!