Kennys Vargas

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Kennys Vargas
Minnesota Twins player 2017 (34835314475) (cropped).jpg
Vargas with the Minnesota Twins in 2017
Acereros de Monclova – No. 35
Designated hitter / First baseman
Born: (1990-08-01) August 1, 1990 (age 34)
Canóvanas, Puerto Rico
Bats: Switch
Throws: Right
Professional debut
MLB: August 1, 2014, for the Minnesota Twins
NPB: March 29, 2019, for the Chiba Lotte Marines
Men's baseball
Representing Flag of Puerto Rico.svg  Puerto Rico
World Baseball Classic
Silver medal icon (S initial).svg 2017 Los Angeles Team

Kennys Vargas Gautier (born August 1, 1990), nicknamed "Gorilla", [1] [2] is a Puerto Rican professional baseball designated hitter and first baseman for the Acereros de Monclova of the Mexican League. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Minnesota Twins and in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Chiba Lotte Marines.

Contents

Vargas has been compared to David Ortiz due to their similarities in size. Vargas stands 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) tall and weighs about 275 pounds. [3] [4] [5]

Early life

Vargas was born in the municipality of Canóvanas, already being larger than the average local population with a length of 22 and a half inches and a weight of ten pounds. [6] He was raised by his mother, teacher Elsa Gautier, who was divorced by the time that he was three years old and was left in charge of all his sustenance. [6] During his youth, the family lived near a baseball park, where he joined his brother Jeronys and learned the game by the time that he was four. [6] After beginning in the district of Río Piedras, Vargas continued playing in his native Canóvanas. [6] Due to his size, he also played basketball during his school years, but at the urging of his mother (who saw potential for him to go professional) he selected baseball. [6] In the process, Vargas declined an invitation to a major high school basketball tournament in 10th grade. [6] Now invested in developing as a baseball player, he requested a trip to watch the New York Yankees play for his 15th birthday. [6] After going undrafted in the 2008 Major League Baseball draft, Vargas decided to enroll in an independent baseball academy in the Dominican Republic, where he spent the following months until the Minnesota Twins invited him to an evaluation. [6] In February 2009, the organization signed him as an amateur free agent with a signing bonus that neared $100,000. [6]

Career

Minnesota Twins

Vargas made his professional debut in 2009 with the rookie-level Gulf Coast League Twins. He also played for the GCL Twins in 2010. Vargas played the 2011 season with the Elizabethton Twins. Vargas was hitting .322/.377/.489 with six home runs over 44 games, when he was suspended 50 games for a violation of the Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. [7] After his suspension was over in 2012 he played for the Beloit Snappers. In 41 games, Vargas had 11 home runs and a 1.030 on-base plus slugging (OPS). Vargas played for the Fort Myers Miracle in 2013; [8] in 125 games he hit 19 home runs. Vargas was added to the Twins' 40-man roster on November 20, 2013, in order to protected from the Rule 5 draft. [9] Vargas started the 2014 season with the Double-A New Britain Rock Cats. [10] In July he played in the All-Star Futures Game. [11] [12]

Vargas made his MLB debut on August 1, 2014, [13] and hit his first career home run off Jesse Hahn five days later, on August 6, leading the Twins to a 3–1 victory over the Padres. [14] Vargas wound up finishing the season as the Twins designated hitter, slashing .274/.316/.456 with nine home runs with 38 RBI across 53 games. [15]

In the 2015 season, Vargas began the season as the Twins' designated hitter although he was sent down a month later after a poor start. He was recalled later in the season. In 58 total appearances for Minnesota on the year, Vargas batted .240/.277/.349 with five home runs and 17 RBI. [16]

Vargas was named the American League's Player of the Week for the week of July 4 to July 10, 2016. [17] After excelling at the Triple–A level, Vargas was given another shot for extended playing time for the Twins. He split time between designated hitter and first base. Vargas ultimately played in 47 games for the Twins, posting a .230/.333/.500 batting line with 10 home runs and 20 RBI. [18]

In 2017, Vargas started the season in Triple-A, but was once again called up at the end of April. In the offseason he trained alongside former major League players Carlos Delgado, José ‘Tony’ Valentín, and Manny Ramírez. [19] He also played again with the Indios de Mayagüez in the Liga de Béisbol Profesional Roberto Clemente, Puerto Rico's baseball professional league. Vargas made 78 appearances for Minnesota during the year, slashing .253/.314/.444 with career-highs in home runs (11) and RBI (41). [20]

On March 16, 2018, Vargas was designated for assignment by the Twins following the acquisition of Jake Cave. [21] On March 22, Vargas was claimed off waivers by the Cincinnati Reds. [22] On March 24, the Twins re-acquired Vargas by claiming him off waivers from the Reds, without Vargas appearing in an MLB game with the Reds. [23] On March 27, he was removed from the 40-man roster and sent outright to the Triple-A Rochester Red Wings. [24] In 130 games for Rochester, Vargas batted .240/.326/.425 with 21 home runs and 73 RBI. He elected free agency following the season on November 2. [25]

Chiba Lotte Marines

On November 6, 2018, Vargas signed with the Chiba Lotte Marines of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). [26] In 35 appearances for the Marines in 2019, Vargas hit .179/.324/.274 with one home run and six RBI. On November 30, 2019, the Marines announced that the team would not sign Vargas for the 2020 season. [27] Two days later, he became a free agent. [28]

Detroit Tigers

On January 27, 2020, Vargas signed a minor league contract with the Detroit Tigers. [29] He did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic. [30] Vargas was released by the Tigers organization on July 7.

Saraperos de Saltillo

On March 6, 2021, Vargas signed with the Saraperos de Saltillo of the Mexican League. [31] In 66 games for Saltillo, he batted .310/.418/.603 with 18 home runs and 54 RBI. Vargas was released on February 10, 2022.

Tecolotes de los Dos Laredos

On February 15, 2022, Vargas signed with the Tecolotes de los Dos Laredos of the Mexican League. [32] Vargas appeared in 85 games for Dos Laredos in 2022, slashing .324/.462/.566 with 17 home runs and 65 RBI. In 2023, Vargas appeared in 30 games, batting .270/.356/.461 with five home runs and 15 RBI.

Mariachis de Guadalajara

On June 5, 2023, Vargas was traded to the Mariachis de Guadalajara of the Mexican League. [33] In 50 games for Guadalajara, Vargas batted .297/.367/.550 with 11 home runs and 32 RBI.

Tecolotes de los Dos Laredos (second stint)

On December 21, 2023, Vargas signed with the Tecolotes de los Dos Laredos of the Mexican League. [34] In 88 appearances for Dos Laredos in 2024, he slashed .316/.416/.517 with 15 home runs and 80 RBI. Vargas was released by the Tecolotes on April 16, 2025. [35]

Acereros de Monclova

On May 3, 2025, Vargas signed with the Acereros de Monclova of the Mexican League. [36]

International career

Vargas played for the Puerto Rico national baseball team in the 2017 World Baseball Classic where he won a silver medal. [37]

References

  1. ↑ ニックネーム. 千葉ロッテマリーンズ オフィシャルサイト 「マリンフェスタ」特設サイト (in Japanese). Archived from the original on March 30, 2019. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
  2. ↑ Jarvi, Tawny (May 22, 2017). "Monday Morning Minnesota: Discipline, Improvements, Gorilla Tattoos". Twinkie Town. Retrieved November 27, 2024.
  3. ↑ Miller, Phil (March 8, 2014). "Twins prospect Vargas might best be called 'Bigger Papi'". StarTribune. Archived from the original on July 14, 2014.
  4. ↑ "Twinsights: Eddie Guardado has flashbacks watching Kennys Vargas". TwinCities Pioneer Press. March 8, 2014. Archived from the original on July 14, 2014.
  5. ↑ "Ortiz-clone Vargas getting valuable experience". FOX Sports. March 6, 2014. Retrieved November 27, 2024.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Rosa Rosa, Carlos (February 5, 2016). "Fanática número uno de Kennys Vargas". El Nuevo Día (in Spanish). Retrieved February 5, 2016.
  7. ↑ Meisel, Zack (August 12, 2011). "Twins' Minor Leaguer suspended for 50 games". MLB.com. Archived from the original on July 14, 2014.
  8. ↑ Butherus, Scott (November 17, 2013). "MIRACLE, INK.: Clowning around for Kennys Vargas when it comes to tattoos". Naples Daily News. Retrieved November 27, 2024.
  9. ↑ Bollinger, Rhett (November 20, 2013). "Minnesota Twins add four players to 40-man roster". MLB.com. Archived from the original on July 14, 2014.
  10. ↑ Brennan, Kyle (May 1, 2014). "Twins' prospect Vargas showing some pop". Republican American. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016.
  11. ↑ Bollinger, Rhett (June 25, 2014). "Minnesota Twins prospcts Jose Berrios and Kennys Vargas were named to the Futures Game roster". MLB.com. Archived from the original on July 3, 2014.
  12. ↑ Berardino, Mike (June 22, 2014). "Twins: Kennys Vargas next in line for Futures Game invitation". Twin Cities. Retrieved November 27, 2024.
  13. ↑ Kramer, Daniel (August 2, 2014). "Vargas makes big league debut for Twins". MLB.com. Archived from the original on August 8, 2014.
  14. ↑ "MLB Gameday: Padres 1, Twins 3 Final Score". MLB.com. August 5, 2014. Retrieved November 27, 2024.
  15. ↑ "Kennys Vargas 2014 batting Stats Per Game". espn.com. Retrieved July 29, 2025.
  16. ↑ "Kennys Vargas 2015 batting Stats Per Game". espn.com. Retrieved July 29, 2025.
  17. ↑ Berardino, Mike (July 14, 2016). "Can the Twins make headway in second half? Yes, they can". Twin Cities. Retrieved November 27, 2024.
  18. ↑ "Kennys Vargas 2016 batting Stats Per Game". espn.com. Retrieved July 29, 2025.
  19. ↑ Álvarez, Karla Pacheco (May 2, 2017). "Kennys Vargas llegó para quedarse" [Kennys Vargas is here to stay]. Primera Hora (in Spanish). Retrieved November 27, 2024.
  20. ↑ "Kennys Vargas 2017 batting Stats Per Game". espn.com. Retrieved July 29, 2025.
  21. ↑ "Twins Acquire Jake Cave, Designate Kennys Vargas". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved July 29, 2025.
  22. ↑ Todd, Jeff (March 22, 2018). "Reds Claim Kennys Vargas". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved November 27, 2024.
  23. ↑ Morse, Dustin [@morsecode] (March 24, 2018). "The @Twins have claimed Kennys Vargas off waivers from the Reds. #MNTwins 40-man roster is now at 40" (Tweet). Retrieved November 27, 2024– via Twitter.
  24. ↑ "Twins Outright Kennys Vargas". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved July 29, 2025.
  25. ↑ "Minor League Free Agents 2018". baseballamerica.com. Retrieved July 29, 2025.
  26. ↑ "ケニス・バルガス選手 獲得について". 千葉ロッテマリーンズ オフィシャルサイト (in Japanese). November 6, 2018. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
  27. ↑ "レイビン投手・ブランドン投手・ボルシンガー投手・バルガス選手 来季契約について". 千葉ロッテマリーンズ オフィシャルサイト (in Japanese). November 30, 2019. Retrieved December 22, 2019.
  28. ↑ "2019年度 自由契約選手". NPB.jp 日本野球機構 (in Japanese). Retrieved December 22, 2019.
  29. ↑ Beck, Jason (January 27, 2020). "Tigers roll dice on former Twins slugger". MLB.com. Retrieved January 27, 2020.
  30. ↑ "2020 Minor League Baseball season cancelled". mlb.com. Retrieved December 21, 2024.
  31. ↑ @OficialSarapero (March 6, 2021). "¡Bienvenido a casa Kennys Vargas! 🤗 El cañonero puertorriqueño tiene una destacable trayectoria en Ligas Menores, además de haber jugado por varias temporadas en Grandes Ligas y en Japón" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  32. ↑ "EX GRANDES LIGAS KENNYS VARGAS REFUERZA OFENSIVA DE LOS DOS LAREDOS". tecolotes2laredos.com (in Spanish). February 15, 2022. Retrieved February 15, 2022.
  33. ↑ @LaredosTecos (June 5, 2023). "El Club Tecos de los Dos Laredos informa el cambio del IF/DH Kennys Vargas al Club Mariachis de Guadalajara. Al 'Gorila'🦍 le deseamos éxito en su futuro profesional, agradeciéndole haber portado nuestro uniforme desde la campaña anterior" (Tweet) (in Spanish). Retrieved June 5, 2023– via Twitter.
  34. ↑ "Tecos: Retornará el 'Gorilla Power' en 2024 a los Dos Laredos". Minor League Baseball (in Spanish). December 23, 2023. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  35. ↑ "x.com".
  36. ↑ "x.com".
  37. ↑ Thornburg, Chad (February 8, 2017). "Young stars join Beltran, Yadi for Puerto Rico". MLB.com. Archived from the original on October 22, 2017. Retrieved November 27, 2024.
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