Denny Medley USA TODAY Sports
Kennys Vargas was an unexpected offensive contributor for the Minnesota Twins in 2014, hitting .274 with nine home runs and 38 RBI over 215 at-bats after being called up from Double-A. He started this season as Minnesota’s regular designated hitter, but after going 0-for-5 with four strikeouts against the Seattle Mariners last Saturday night manager Paul Molitor has kept him on the bench for the last three games.
Vargas has just two hits over his last 28 at-bats, with 11 strikeouts and three walks, so benching him during a fairly prolonged slump is not the worst idea. Molitor suggested he wants the young slugger to treat pre-game batting practice more seriously and make it more “game-realistic”, rather than a personal home run derby. Molitor also added a suggestion that Vargas will be back in the lineup for Wednesday’s game against the Detroit Tigers, which has come to fruition.
The Twins can certainly use Vargas’ power potential in their lineup, but sitting on the bench in the big leagues does him no good at this stage of his career. If he continues to struggle, I think Vargas would benefit from some time in Triple-A to refine his approach at the plate while playing regularly. Watching mediocre hitters like Eduardo Nunez replace him as the Twins’ designated hitter on a regular basis may even hurt Vargas’ confidence, which the team can’t let happen right now.
Vargas has not spent any time in Triple-A, and he forced the Twins to promote him last year after doing very well in Double-A (.281, 17 home runs and 63 RBI in 97 games). At 24 years old it’s far too soon to consider trading or completely giving up on Vargas, and right now would be a low-point in his value anyway.
If Vargas is sent to Triple-A Rochester at some point, soon or down the road a bit, here are some possibilities to replace him.
1. OF/2B Eddie Rosario
Rosario’s numbers at Rochester so far this season are not eye-popping (.253, three home runs, eight RBI and 10 runs scored), but an argument can be made he’d help the Twins’ dismal situation in center field immediately.
2. OF Aaron Hicks
At some point the Twins are going to have find out if Hicks has a place long-term. He is hitting solidly for Rochester so far (.286/.378/.460 slash-line, 11 RBI and 11 runs scored), and it may only be a matter of time before he is back in the majors.
3. OF Byron Buxton
Twins’ fans are pining for Buxton to be called up, but he is off to a slow start in Double-A (.215, two home runs, eight RBI and four stolen bases) after an injury-riddled 2014 season. If the Twins decide to keep Vargas in the big leagues for a few more weeks, Buxton could get hot with the bat during that time and be at the top of this list in short order.
4. OF Adam Brett Walker
Walker is getting his first action above High-A ball right now, but he has five home runs in 58 at-bats for Double-A Chattanooga so far and he hit 52 home runs in 2013 and 2014 combined. A call-up before mid-season is not realistic, but Walker can force himself into the conversation for a promotion by continue his power display.
If Vargas turns things around after being out of the lineup for a few days, the possibility of demoting him can at least be postponed. But I don’t expect a sudden turnaround along those lines, so a decision by the Twins to send Vargas to Triple-A should come soon.
Brad Berreman is a Columnist/Senior Writer at Rant Sports.com. Follow him on Twitter.
