With less than a month until the start of 2023 Spring Training, MLB Pipeline polled general managers, farm directors, scouting directors and analytics specialists on various topics, including 2023 National League Rookie of the Year predictions.
Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Corbin Carroll received 66% of the votes, while New York Mets catcher Francisco Álvarez finished second with 9%. Also earning votes were Elly De La Cruz, Sal Frelick, Matt Mervis, Jared Shuster, Ezequiel Tovar, Jordan Walker, and Los Angeles Dodgers prospects Bobby Miller and Miguel Vargas.
Miller and Vargas are coming off successful Minor League seasons in which they were selected to participate in the 2022 MLB All-Star Futures Game at Dodger Stadium.
Miller went a combined 6-6 with a 4.45 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 11.6 strikeouts per nine in 91 innings pitched between Double-A Tulsa and Triple-A Oklahoma City (20 games, 19 starts).
Vargas batted .304/.402/.511 with 17 home runs, 82 RBI, 99 runs scored and 16 stolen bases in 112 games with Oklahoma City and earned a selection to the Pacific Coast League All-Star Team.
Vargas had his first cup of coffee with the Dodgers and impressed in his MLB debut against the San Francisco Giants before going on to struggle. He nevertheless earned a spot on the team’s National League Division Series roster but didn’t appear in a game.
Miller is projected to make his big league debut at some point during the 2023 season and could be a target of the Pittsburgh Pirates in trade discussions for Bryan Reynolds.
As for Vargas, he is expected to receive extended playing time in the infield for the Dodgers this year following the departures of Justin Turner and Trea Turner in free agency.
“He’s a silent assassin, and I say that as the biggest compliment,” manager Dave Roberts said of Vargas last September. “He’s got this youthful, boyish smile and disposition, but he is as tough as they come. He was raised in a baseball home, he knows the game inside and out, his baseball acumen is off the charts.
“When he’s in the batter’s box, he thinks that he’s the best option, and that confidence is pretty cool to see. But there’s also humility there. I’m excited to have him. He’s earned it and I expect him to impact us in the short term and also the long term. He should be wearing a Dodger uniform for a long time.”
Miguel Rojas mentoring Dodgers prospects
As Miguel Rojas prepares for his second stint with the Dodgers, he revealed he has already been in touch with the likes of Vargas and Diego Cartaya, and hopes to help them in any way he can.
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