MLB Insider Thinks Dodgers Young Star Will Win Rookie of the Year Award
The Dodgers enter the 2023 season with a decent chance of fielding the winner of the National League Rookie of the Year Award. Between Miguel Vargas, James Outman, Gavin Stone, and even someone like Bobby Miller or Michael Busch, the Dodgers have their fair share of candidates.
However, some of these guys are more likely to win than others, and considering Vargas and Outman are starting the season on the Opening Day roster, they already have an upper hand.
Obviously, their play needs to live up to the hype, but both guys have shown they have what it takes to succeed at the big league level.
While Corbin Carroll of the Arizona Diamondbacks is the favorite to win the award entering the season, Jon Heyman of the New York Post sees a Dodger coming away with it. He thinks Miguel Vargas will become the 19th player in franchise history to win the award.
"Everybody who comes up with the Dodgers does well, so why not Vargas? They have big expectations both for Vargas in the infield and for James Outman, who looks like the center fielder of the future. Vargas had an unusual spring during which he initially wasn’t allowed to swing due to a hairline fracture in a finger (and still managed a few walks). He looks like a star in the making. Outfielder Corbin Carroll of the Diamondbacks just got $111 million while still a rookie, so there are expectations there, too."
Vargas has been impressive all spring long, both in the field learning a new position, and at the plate — the reason he's such a highly touted prospect.
Vargas wasn't able to swing the bat to start the Cactus League as he was recovering from a right pinky injury, but when he did, he instantly started raking. Overall, Vargas finished the spring with 11 hits — including a home run and three doubles — and showed off his impressive hit tool and ability to put the ball in play.
Vargas is going to be the team's everyday second baseman, and will get ample opportunities to drive in runs. If he's able to be a consistent hitter at the bottom of the Dodgers lineup, he'll be in serious contention for the award at the end of the year.
