Vargas’ bat creating options for D-Backs
Diamondbacks infielder Ildemaro Vargas added another feat to his summer camp legend on Monday night. He also might have taken another step toward a more significant role once the season begins.
Vargas blasted a long home run in the second inning at Dodger Stadium, a 410foot shot off Dodgers lefty Julio Urias that landed on the concourse in left field. It was the latest display of prodigious power in recent weeks from a hitter whose thump would have been best described as modest in previous years.
It has made manager Torey Lovullo not only take note, but also ponder ways to get Vargas into the lineup when the season begins on Friday night at Petco Park.
“I think I have to look at somebody that is having that type of success,” Lovullo said. “And it’s not just the base hits – it’s the way he’s impacting the baseball. There’s damage and bad intentions with every swing. With the results he’s getting, it’s definitely opening my eyes.”
Vargas, who spent much of last season in the majors as a bench player, opened camp by blasting a pair of home runs off lefty Madison Bumgarner in a live batting practice session. He nearly hit a third on a ball that appeared to go just foul down the left-field line.
Vargas continued to hit balls hard during the two-plus weeks at Chase Field, including logging another twohomer game on July 11 and closing out camp with another homer on Saturday afternoon.
Vargas is a middle infielder by trade; he came up as a shortstop but second base is probably his most natural position. The Diamondbacks, of course, are set at those positions with Nick Ahmed and Ketel Marte, as well as at third with Eduardo Escobar.
Vargas, however, did get a start at first base late in camp, and the addition of the designated hitter in the National League gives Lovullo another avenue with which to get a hot hitter in the lineup.
Vargas has strong career splits against left-handed pitching, something Lovullo likely will look to exploit one way or another.
“I have to be aware of what’s going on around me, seeing what’s happening around this team day in and day out,” Lovullo said. “He’s making some statements. We’ve got some decisions to make. He’s one of 30. Everybody on the team is going to play and contribute. I think he’s going to fall into the category of where he’s helping us win some baseball games.”
Going deep
The Diamondbacks’ rotation depth has emerged as a potential area of concern over the past few weeks.
First came the departure of righthander Mike Leake, who opted out of the season. Then came word that right-hander Jon Duplantier was dealing with an elbow problem that put him well behind his teammates.
Now, two of the pitchers left standing turned in troubling outings on consecutive days at Dodger Stadium, with right-handers Taylor Widener and Taylor Clarke each getting hit hard by the Dodgers’ loaded lineup.
Clarke served up home runs to Mookie Betts and Joc Pederson and was charged with five runs in four innings.
“Am I concerned? Of course I am,” Lovullo said. “I don’t like the outings that they had. But I think we’re going to learn from them and continue to have those two guys grow and mature a little bit.”
Lefty Alex Young still represents the Diamondbacks’ first wave of starting pitching depth; he is expected to open the season in the bullpen. And the club is hoping to get right-hander Corbin Martin, whom it acquired in the Zack Greinke trade last season, back from Tommy John surgery sometime next month.
Short hop
Left-handers Madison Bumgarner and Robbie Ray remained in Phoenix the past two days to throw intrasquad games rather than face the Dodgers. Bumgarner threw five innings and 80 pitches on Sunday while Ray threw 6 1/3 innings and 97 pitches on Monday, Lovullo said.
Lovullo was unclear how the two were going to make their way to California to meet the team, but he did not think they were going to take flights.