Ildemaro Vargas
Breakdown
Performance
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July 9, 2026
Logs second steal
Vargas went 1-for-3 with a walk, a stolen base and a run scored in Wednesday's 10-4 loss to the Padres.
Analysis
Vargas was included in the lineup for the fifth time in six games. He's made three starts at first base as well as one each at second and shortstop during that span as he looks to be settling into more of a utility role. Vargas has gone 5-for-18 over five games in July, and while that's not all that impressive, he's still showing more consistency at the plate than his main competition for playing time, Pavin Smith. Vargas is batting .257 with a .699 OPS, seven home runs, 46 RBI, 39 runs scored, 12 doubles, two triples and two steals through 79 games this season.
July 8, 2026
Back on bench Tuesday
Vargas is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Padres.
Analysis
Vargas will hit the bench after he started in each of the last four games -- once at second base, three times at first base -- and went 4-for-15 with a double, a walk and two RBI. Though his production has tailed off after a scorching start to the season, Vargas could nonetheless be encroaching on Pavin Smith's role as Arizona's primary first baseman. The left-handed Smith will be included in the lineup Tuesday, but he sat in favor of Vargas in two of the Diamondbacks' previous three matchups versus righties.
July 5, 2026
Makes second straight start
Vargas started at first base and went 1-for-3 with a double and an RBI in Saturday's 4-3 win over the Brewers.
Analysis
Vargas' eighth-inning double plated what eventually turned out to be the winning run. He made a second straight start at first base and is 4-for-8 with two RBI in those two games. Saturday's start was against a right-hander, which is usually Pavin Smith's job. Even though the early-season shine has come off Vargas' bat -- he had a .102 batting average and .336 OPS over 34 games from May 20 through the end of June -- he could gain more opportunities, as Smith (.152/.260/.212) is having his own struggles at the plate.
July 4, 2026
Racks up three hits
Vargas went 3-for-5 with one RBI in Friday's 7-4 extra-innings loss to the Brewers.
Analysis
Vargas started at first base against left-hander Kyle Harrison and delivered a good game. While Vargas remains a regular in the lineup versus southpaws, his playing time versus right-handers has been limited lately. He hit just .100 over 23 games in June to lose out on a starting role and will likely be limited to utility duties as long as Arizona's infield is mostly healthy. Vargas is hitting .263 with a .709 OPS, seven home runs, 45 RBI, 38 runs scored and a stolen base over 273 plate appearances this season.