Vargas Savors Moments at 2022 SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game
Dodgers prospect plays at Dodger Stadium during MLB All-Star Week in July
Miguel Vargas shared the field at Dodger Stadium with baseball’s top prospects during the 2022 SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game July 16.
While the Oklahoma City Dodgers infielder met many fellow players who represent the best up-and-coming talent in professional baseball, one person remained elusive during his trip to Los Angeles—Latin music superstar Bad Bunny.
The two unfortunately never crossed paths that weekend at Dodger Stadium. Bad Bunny was involved with several events throughout the star-studded weekend, serving as captain for Team Los Angeles in the celebrity softball game and presenting Juan Soto with a “Derby Champ” chain for winning the Home Run Derby.
Vargas’ recent walk-up songs at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark have included Bad Bunny’s “Después de la Playa” and “Tití Me Preguntó.”
“That was my first goal, but I missed it,” Vargas said with a smile. “I didn’t see him.
“Next time.”
Vargas, 22, started for the National League Team at second base and batted fifth. He drew a walk in his first plate appearance and scored a run on an error before grounding out in his second plate appearance. The Los Angeles Dodgers’ №5 prospect, according to MLB Pipeline, also played four innings on defense.
“It was a great experience,” Vargas said. “There was a lot of talent out there playing there in Dodger Stadium with the Dodgers fans. It was a great experience out there.”
He joined fellow Dodgers prospects catcher Diego Cartaya and pitcher Bobby Miller in the Futures Game —the Dodgers’ Nos. 1 and 2 prospects respectively according to MLB Pipeline.
Vargas said everything about the experience was a highlight for him, but he enjoyed seeing Cartaya and Miller take the field as the NL’s starting battery at Dodger Stadium.
The Futures Game wasn’t his first time playing in Dodger Stadium, however. He played two preseason Freeway Series games there between the Dodgers and Los Angeles Angels — once in 2021 and most recently April 4—but said the atmosphere surrounding the Futures Game was definitely different.
“I tried to enjoy it as much as I can and hopefully I will be there soon,” Vargas said.
Vargas has posted impressive numbers with the Oklahoma City Dodgers during his first Triple-A season.
Entering today, he has played in 92 of OKC’s 97 total games so far this season. Three of the five games he has missed were to travel and participate in the Futures Game.
Prior to his trip out west, Vargas became the first Pacific Coast League player of the 2022 season to reach 100 hits and was one of the first nine players in the Minors to reach the milestone this season.
He has already compiled five hitting streaks of eight games or more and owns the longest hitting streak of the season by an OKC Dodger at 14 games. He has played the majority of his games at third base defensively, but has also spent time at second base, first base and 10 games in left field this season and has filled the second spot of OKC’s batting order for 84 games.
He currently leads the PCL with 108 hits and 80 runs, while ranking in the league’s top five in doubles (2nd, 24), total bases (3rd, 185), RBI (4th, 72), extra-base hits (4th, 43) and walks (T-4th, 53). His 15 home runs are tied for second-most among OKC players.
Vargas hit a walk-off home run in the 10th inning of OKC’s game last night against Sugar Land at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark to seal the team’s 3–2 win.
Vargas was named the 2021 Branch Rickey minor league player of the year by the Dodgers in addition to being named a MiLB.com Organization All-Star after spending time with High-A Great Lakes and Double-A Tulsa last season.
The native of Havana, Cuba signed with the Dodgers as an international free agent Sept. 7, 2017 at the age of 17.
Perhaps his recent time in Los Angeles is a preview of what’s ahead at Dodger Stadium.
“I really enjoyed it,” Vargas said. “I (met) a lot of guys out there; a lot of people. It was a special moment.”
