02/28/2006 7:45 PM ET

Just 23, Vargas has look of a winner

Lefty to start Wednesday's exhibition against U. of Miami

By Joe Frisaro / MLB.com

 

JUPITER, Fla. -- Body language speaks volumes for Jason Vargas.

 

Marlins manager Joe Girardi's early impression of the 23-year-old left-hander is that he looks like he will get you out.

 

Armed with a half-year of Major League experience, Vargas has a leg up on earning a rotation spot.

 

"And he's got some big legs," Girardi said.

 

As the Marlins are about to open their exhibition schedule, Vargas has been tabbed the starter of Wednesday's game against the University of Miami at 3:05 p.m. ET at Roger Dean Stadium.

 

The lefty will throw two innings, or about 30 pitches.

 

"Miami is a good team," Vargas said. "They've always been good, they have a good tradition. It's a fun way to get the season started."

 

The Marlins' second-round pick out of Long Beach State in 2004, Vargas enjoyed a solid rookie season. He rapidly accelerated through the Minor Leagues last year, opening in low Class A Greensboro before brief stints with Class A Jupiter and Double-A Carolina.

 

Called up after three Double-A starts on July 12, Vargas essentially replaced Al Leiter (who was designated for assignment) in the Marlins' rotation. In 17 games, he made 13 starts, finishing 5-5 with a 4.03 ERA with one complete game.

 

It was a remarkable first full season of pro ball for Vargas, because he spent time in four cities. Last year at this time, he was in Minor League camp, and he never saw any action with the big-league club.

 

Even though he didn't participate in Spring Training with the Marlins last year, he felt he belonged in the big leagues.

 

"I've always thought I can pitch here," Vargas said. "There is so much talent throughout the Minor Leagues that can pitch in the big leagues. But once you get up here, it's a matter of whether you belong here."

 

On a restocked staff, Vargas has experienced life in the big leagues. Yet, he can relate to the high number of young pitchers competing for roster spots for the first time. Like them, this is Vargas' first big-league camp.

 

In Vargas, Girardi sees some qualities of his former Yankees teammate, All-Star lefty Andy Pettitte.

 

"There is something about their eyes that is different," Girardi said. "I remember thinking about Andy Pettitte. I could tell by the way Andy was looking at you if he was going to have a good day or a bad day. When he was in the windup or the stretch, he had that look about him. And I see that in Vargas."

 

Marlins All-Star Dontrelle Willis is a big fan of Vargas. At 24, Willis understands the hurdles his fellow left-hander is going through, moving quickly through the Minor Leagues and enjoying early big league success.

 

"He's a lot more poised than I was at that age," Willis said. "His work ethic is great. I think going to college helped him, because he was already fine-tuned. When I went out there, I was kind of wide-eyed. He went out there focused.

 

"Obviously, he's less animated than I am. I think he is where he needs to be. Just stuff-wise, he's got big league-stuff. He's going to get better every time he gets out there. He's definitely someone who is a student of the game, he's smart. He's a great athlete."

 

Poise and composure sold former Marlins manager Jack McKeon on Vargas last season.

 

McKeon often pulled the left-hander aside, reminding him to not be someone he wasn't.

 

"[McKeon] just told me to do what got me here," Vargas said. "Don't try to overdo myself, just stay with the basics. Don't try to make these hitters more than they are."

 

Vargas got off to a 5-1 start, with his finest outing coming on Aug. 21 at home against the Dodgers. That Sunday afternoon, the left-hander gave up one run on six hits, striking out seven.

 

Growing up about 90 minutes away from Los Angeles in Apple Valley, Calif., a number of his friends were watching.

 

After that point, Vargas went 1-4, going through some rough spots. Still, he had some fine outings that didn't result in victories. In five innings at Houston on Sept. 15, he gave up three runs on four hits in losing a decision to Pettitte.

 

The Marlins were in the thick of the National League Wild Card race at the time, and the hostile environment at Minute Maid Park didn't rattle him. On Sept. 26, he gave up one run in seven innings against the Nationals, yet suffered a loss. And he says the best he felt physically all season was after his final game, a one-inning effort against the Braves on Oct. 1. He struck out two in his short-stint and was lifted only because of a long rain delay.

 

In all, Vargas threw 73 2/3 innings with the Marlins plus 108 innings of Minor League ball. Surpassing 180 total innings was a personal high.

 

"You've got to keep yourself in shape," Vargas said of his conditioning. "There is no substitute for hard work. You can get away with it a little bit [at] the beginning of the season."

 

Vargas picked up pointers from the veterans, like closer Todd Jones, who offered advice on how to warm up quickly, plus focusing on individual batters.

 

There aren't many veterans to learn from on the roster now, but Vargas sees talent and has high expectations for the team.

 

"We've got a lot of talented guys here," Vargas said. "Our main focus is to win ballgames, to go to the playoffs and win the World Series. We're not going to try to do any less just because we're young, and we're not going to expect any less of ourselves just because we are young. We want to win and we want to wear a ring."

 

Joe Frisaro is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

 

http://florida.marlins.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/...t=.jsp&c_id=fla

 

Buerhle and now Pettitte.... :whistle

First time I saw Vargas he reminded me exactly of Pettitte....right down to the wind-up and follow through. I hope he winds up as good as Pettitte.

I will say this, he's definitely a gamer...love the intensity he has.

LOL @ Willis.

 

"He's a lot more poised than I was at that age."

 

Train is only a year older. :lol

:lol That's exactly what I was thinking, Lefty.

Yep, gotta love this kid.... :thumbup

Looks a lot more like a damn hippie than a winner. :mischief

Looks a lot more like a damn hippie than a winner. :mischief

 

 

Interesting comment, you must be looking at an old pic, he's clean shaven and his hair is short. :confused

Love youf board name btw.

LOL @ Willis.

 

"He's a lot more poised than I was at that age."

 

Train is only a year older. :lol

 

:lol

I've got him penciled as our #3, but only to split the lefties up, placing Moe in between. Eventually that will change as both Moe and Vargas tire. We know Moe can't handle a full season work load and it would be wise to treat Vargas the in the same manner as the start distribution suggested by MarlinsLou addresses.

I've got him penciled as our #3, but only to split the lefties up, placing Moe in between. Eventually that will change as both Moe and Vargas tire. We know Moe can't handle a full season work load and it would be wise to treat Vargas the in the same manner as the start distribution suggested by MarlinsLou addresses.

 

 

 

Well remember that moe has been coming back from tommy john surgery, which is why last year he seemed to fade away at the end of the season. Barring any other injuries i feel he can be solid for more innings than he was last season

I've got him penciled as our #3, but only to split the lefties up, placing Moe in between. Eventually that will change as both Moe and Vargas tire. We know Moe can't handle a full season work load and it would be wise to treat Vargas the in the same manner as the start distribution suggested by MarlinsLou addresses.

 

 

 

Well remember that moe has been coming back from tommy john surgery, which is why last year he seemed to fade away at the end of the season. Barring any other injuries i feel he can be solid for more innings than he was last season

I had forgotten that, good point. However, I'm hoping we trade him during the course of the season or relegate him to a lesser role at least to open slots to try out our guys seasoning in the minors. So in any case I hope he doesn't get more than 20 or so starts.

Vargas is going to blow up this season. 15 wins, 3.30 era.

I say hes gone in 2-3 years.