MLB.com's Rhett Bollinger reports that Kennys Vargas had a goal while playing winter ball in his native Puerto Rico: Be more patient at the plate.
So he drew 33 walks (with 30 strikeouts) in 37 games. Which is nothing like his MLB ratio last season: 12 walks and 63 strikeouts in 53 games (234 at-bats).
Obviously, there is a big difference between the pitching in the American League and the pitching in the Puerto Rican winter league. But just as obviously, he did take a more patient approach.
I hardly expect him to have more walks than strikeouts. But I do think he should be expected to draw more walks. He certainly did in the minors. Last year in Double A before his call up, he was averaging about a walk for every 10 official at-bats (43 BB, 405 AB); in 2013, in high A, 50 walks, 520 at-bats. But after his call-up it was closer to one walk for every 20 at-bats, and that's just not sustainable.
Better strike-zone judgment is an imperative for the big guy. His minor league record suggests he has it. His winter league emphasis suggests he gets it.
It is reassuring that Vargas appears to have the maturity to see this was worth working on.
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