PHOENIX — Arizona Diamondbacks infielder Ildemaro Vargas could not help but think about how far he’s come in his career when he won the National League Player of the Month this week.
When asked what part of his dreamlike start to the season has stood out, Vargas harkened back to playing independent baseball in 2015 after he was dealt the blow of getting cut by his first organization, the St. Louis Cardinals. He thought about being waived five times, including by the Diamondbacks.
So while the game plan to build on his start is to remain humble with an everything needs to be earned attitude, receiving the recognition from the league after all he’s gone through to get to this moment was something Vargas deeply appreciated.
“It was something very special for me, for my family,” Vargas said via Spanish interpreter Alex Arpiza on Tuesday. “A dream come true. With so many great players out there, for me to be named it’s special. … Not so long ago, I was playing in an independent league. Not so long ago, I was released by five different organizations.”
Ildemaro Vargas reacts to winning NL Player of the Month.
He brought up his past experience playing independent ball and getting cut by multiple clubs when putting this honor into context. pic.twitter.com/nmSLs8d1ln
— Alex Weiner (@alexjweiner) May 5, 2026
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Vargas said many people, including retired teammates, throughout his baseball journey have reached out to him this season, another perk of the attention he has received for his hitting streak.
He climbed to second in Diamondbacks franchise history with a 27-game hitting streak that ended over the weekend at Wrigley Field, three games away from Luis Gonzalez’s record. Vargas appreciated the advice he’d received from Gonzalez in the process.
“He got everybody’s attention in Major League Baseball,” manager Torey Lovullo said. “It was national news. People were giving him some attention that he probably never thought he’d be getting. I thought he handled it really well. What sticks out to me is the consistency in which he was coming to the ballpark.”
Lovullo said Vargas’ ability to hit velocity has made him a valuable role player, but his ability to check off pitches and get into better counts to battle pitchers has improved greatly since his previous two stints with the D-backs.
Vargas has not walked much this season (four), but he also barely strikes out (11). He is putting more line drives into play (30%), finding gaps and holes to consistently produce for the offense so far. He entered Tuesday hitting .382.
This is the switch-hitter’s 10th season playing in major league games, and he’s earned an elusive everyday role while batting in the middle of Arizona’s lineup. Vargas said maintaining his confidence and love for the game has kept him going even when it looked like his chances were dwindling.
“I’m always positive. That’s why I’m here right now. Because I’m a warrior,” Vargas said. “I’m positive. I enjoy my life. I enjoy my career, and I think the most important thing is that I love what I do.”
Vargas was the first Diamondbacks player to win NL Player of the Month since August 2024 (Corbin Carroll). Shohei Ohtani, Juan Soto, Aaron Judge, Cal Raleigh and Pete Alonso are among the league’s Player of the Month winners since then.
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