Dodgers Lose Minor League Free Agent to the Angels
Imanol Vargas enjoyed a successful five-year stint in the Los Angeles Dodgers minor league system, but when he became a minor league free agent at the end of the 2023 season, his agent’s phone did not ring.
Vargas hit 22 home runs as a 25-year-old with the Double-A Tulsa Drillers last year, and his 114 wRC+ indicated he would be an excellent addition to any major league team. Instead, he signed with the Milwaukee Milkmen from the independent American Association.
Vargas received the call he had been waiting for as the Milkmen prepared to start their season in May. He signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Angels and was assigned to the low-A Inland Empire 66ers. He made his debut on Wednesday against Fresno, hitting a single and driving in two runs as the 66ers won 5-1.
Matt Eddy of Baseball America named Vargas one of last year’s minor league free agents to keep an eye on. He wrote, “Vargas’ raw power appears to be in his 114 mph max exit velocity and extreme damage on contact.” The challenge has been making enough contact to really capitalize. Vargas doesn’t chase much outside of the zone, but he can be beat inside with decent stuff.
The left-handed hitter played in 456 minor league games across four levels. He last played in the Low-A California League with Rancho Cucamonga in 2021, hitting 17 home runs in 72 games.
