Dodgers News: Miguel Vargas Worked With JD Martinez on Hitting Before Spring Training
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Adding veterans to an MLB roster is good for many reasons. The obvious one is that they bring experience to a team, and will be able to contribute in any moment, including the biggest ones. On the field, you know you're going to get an impact.
However, the off-the-field impact that comes with a veteran addition is worth the investment, too. That's why everyone around the team was so excited when the Dodgers added J.D. Martinez this offseason.
After the Dodgers added Martinez, one young prospect who looked up to him reached out for assistance. That was Miguel Vargas, who learned that they both were residing in Florida during the offseason. Vargas asked Martinez if he would consider working with him, and Martinez said of course. However, he said Vargas would have to come to him.
Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported on this story, including how far Vargas drove every day to work with Martinez.
"In the month leading to spring training, Vargas hit with Martinez three to four times a week at Nova Southeastern University in Davie, Fla.," Rosenthal wrote.
But how far did Vargas have to drive to make that happen?
"I would drive five hours every day to work with him," Vargas said.
That is incredible dedication from Vargas, and one that shows how committed he is to being a star in this league. We already knew he had great bat-to-ball skills, but Vargas, at just 23 years old, knows he has so much room to improve. And thus far, it seems that Martinez's advice worked.
While Vargas wasn't able to swing a bat for the first part of spring training due to a right pinky injury, finally, on Thursday, he was cleared to swing. And in his first at-bat, he cranked a double to left-center field.
"I was so excited to come here today and swing," Vargas told Kirsten Watson on the SNLA broadcast with a big smile on his face.
Dodger fans should be very excited, too.
