Emmet Sheehan’s first outing of September will be with the Dodgers this weekend against the Washington Nationals. But that comes after a stellar August in Triple-A, and for his efforts on Thursday was named Pacific Coast League pitcher of the month.
Another Dodgers minor leaguer, Class-A Ontario infielder Joendry Vargas, was named California League player of the month for August.
Sheehan was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City on August 3, and pitched the rest of the month for the Comets. He was called up as a just-in-case arm for the Dodgers on August 18-19 in Coors Field, but did not pitch. After a brief relief appearance for Oklahoma City, Sheehan reeled off three excellent starts in a row, totaling 24 strikeouts and six walks with just one run allowed in 17 1/3 innings.
Sheehan also won PCL pitcher of the week for August 17-23.
After a slow first few months, Vargas started to come round offensively in the last week of June, then had a solid July. August was a breakout month for the 20-year-old, hitting a whopping .396/.417/.646 with a 159 wRC+, 11 doubles, three home runs, two triples 20 RBI, and 18 runs scored in 23 games. Vargas led the California League during August in hits (38), total bases (62), doubles, and slugging percentage.
Vargas has played mostly shortstop but has also seen time at second base and third base. That’s been the norm for an Ontario roster this year that included Emil Morales and Mairo Martinus before getting promoted, plus recent draft picks Aiden West, Caleb Johnson, and Kellon Lindsey, though the former first-rounder Lindsey has played mostly second base this season.
Vargas won Cal League player of the week from August 3-9.
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