| AB | 142 |
|---|---|
| AVG | .303 |
| OBP | .406 |
| SLG | .493 |
| HR | 4 |
- Full name Joendry Vargas
- Born 11/08/2005 in Santo Domingo Centro, Dominican Republic
- Profile Ht.: 6'4" / Wt.: 175 / Bats: R / Throws: R
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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BA Grade/Risk: 55/Extreme.
Track Record: As a youth, Vargas was a switch-hitter, but by the time he signed he was a righthanded hitter only. By the time he was 16, he was one of the most coveted players on the amateur market and signed with the Dodgers for $2,077,500. He helped clubs in the Dominican Summer and Arizona Complex leagues win championships in each of his last two seasons and ranked fourth on BA’s annual ACL top 20 prospects list in 2024.
Scouting Report: Vargas’ calling card was his potential for big-time offensive upside, and he showed hints of those gifts in Arizona. He finished the year with four home runs and a max exit velocity of 109.7 mph. To make the most of his power, he’ll need to cut down on his tendency to swing and miss. His 27.2% in-zone miss rate is particularly concerning, and opposing scouts pointed to an overly busy load that will need to be simplified as he moves up the ladder. For their part, the Dodgers spent extra time with Vargas at extended spring training helping him get his swing in a better place for game action. Vargas will likely outgrow shortstop, but his plus arm will play just fine at third base. He played four games at third during the 2024 season, and scouts have noted that Vargas could stand to shore up the routes he takes to ground balls. He’s a fringe-average runner who could slow down as he grows and adds strength to his 6-foot-4 frame.
The Future: In 2025, Vargas will move to full-season ball for the first time at Low-A Rancho Cucamonga. There, he’ll need to improve his contact rates against more advanced pitchers. He’ll also need to keep his body in shape to give himself a better chance to stick at shortstop. If he can, he’ll come closer to capitalizing on his big-time potential.
Scouting Grades Hit: 50 | Power: 55 | Run: 45 | Fielding: 50 | Arm: 60 -
BA Grade: 50/Extreme
Track Record: Vargas grew up as a switch-hitter before deciding to bat righthanded only as a teenager. The change helped him emerge as one of the top offensive players in the 2023 international signing class. The Dodgers signed him for $2,077,500, half of their bonus pool, the day the signing period opened. Vargas lived up to his pedigree with a sensational pro debut in the Dominican Summer League. He hit .328/.423/.529 with seven home runs, 31 RBIs, 19 stolen bases and nearly as many walks (30) as strikeouts (31) to lead DSL Dodgers Bautista to a 42-11 record and the DSL championship.
Scouting Report: Vargas has a long, projectable 6-foot-4 frame and an advanced aptitude for making adjustments in the batter’s box. He had a long, rotational swing when he signed, but he quickly adopted a shorter, more dynamic swing and became a force. Vargas is a high-contact hitter who controls the strike zone and drills balls into the gaps with his bat speed and natural feel for the barrel. He has natural strength and leverage in his swing and projects to be an above-average hitter with above-average power as he adds muscle to his frame. Vargas is an average runner with good range at shortstop, but he projects to slow down and outgrow the position as he matures. He has plus arm strength and will profile well at third base.
The Future: Vargas projects to be an everyday third baseman, but he’s many years and developmental steps away. He’ll make his stateside debut in 2024.
Scouting Grades Hit: 55 | Power: 55 | Run: 45 | Field: 55 | Arm: 60 -
BA Grade/Risk: 45/Extreme
Track Record: Vargas stood out as one of the most physically imposing prospects in the 2023 international signing class and impressed while training with Raul "Banana" Valera in the Dominican Republic. The Dodgers made him their top target in the class and signed him the first day the signing period opened.
Scouting Report: Vargas is a tall, lean, athletic shortstop who moves well going to his left or right. A slightly above-average runner, Vargas has good actions, soft hands and a strong arm for the position, with some scouts considering him one of the top defensive shortstops in the class. A former switch-hitter now hitting righthanded only, Vargas drives the ball with impact too, with a chance to grow into above-average raw power. He is prone to swinging and missing and projects to hit for average over power.
The Future: Vargas will make his pro debut in the Dominican Summer League in 2023. He is a long way away but has a chance to be a power-hitting shortstop if it all clicks.
Scouting Grades: Hit: 45. Power: 50. Speed: 55. Field: 55. Arm: 55.
Scouting Reports
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BA Grade/Risk: 45/Extreme
Track Record: Vargas stood out as one of the most physically imposing prospects in the 2023 international signing class and impressed while training with Raul 'Banana' Valera in the Dominican Republic. The Dodgers made him their top target in the class and signed him the first day the signing period opened.
Scouting Report: Vargas is a tall, lean, athletic shortstop who moves well going to his left or right. A slightly above-average runner, Vargas has good actions, soft hands and a strong arm for the position, with some scouts considering him one of the top defensive shortstops in the class. A former switch-hitter now hitting righthanded only, Vargas drives the ball with impact too, with a chance to grow into above-average raw power. He is prone to swinging and missing and projects to hit for average over power.
The Future: Vargas will make his pro debut in the Dominican Summer League in 2023. He is a long way away but has a chance to be a power-hitting shortstop if it all clicks.
Scouting Grades: Hit: 45. Power: 50. Speed: 55. Field: 55. Arm: 55. -
BA Grade/Risk: 45/Extreme
Track Record: Vargas stood out as one of the most physically imposing prospects in the 2023 international signing class and impressed while training with Raul "Banana" Valera in the Dominican Republic. The Dodgers made him their top target in the class and signed him the first day the signing period opened.
Scouting Report: Vargas is a tall, lean, athletic shortstop who moves well going to his left or right. A slightly above-average runner, Vargas has good actions, soft hands and a strong arm for the position, with some scouts considering him one of the top defensive shortstops in the class. A former switch-hitter now hitting righthanded only, Vargas drives the ball with impact too, with a chance to grow into above-average raw power. He is prone to swinging and missing and projects to hit for average over power.
The Future: Vargas will make his pro debut in the Dominican Summer League in 2023. He is a long way away but has a chance to be a power-hitting shortstop if it all clicks.
Scouting Grades: Hit: 45. Power: 50. Speed: 55. Field: 55. Arm: 55.
Career Transactions
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SS Joendry Vargas assigned to ACL Dodgers from DSL LAD Bautista.
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SS Joendry Vargas assigned to DSL LAD Bautista.
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Los Angeles Dodgers signed free agent SS Joendry Vargas to a minor league contract.
