AIGLES ADD PANAMIAN HURLER DIDIER VARGAS
Looking for new blood on the mound for next season, the Trois-Rivières Aigles have reached an agreement with a pitcher from Panama and former prospect of the Chicago Cubs organization: Didier Vargas!
The 24-year-old left-hander has played in the Cubs' subsidiaries since 2017, from the Rookie League until a brief stint in the AAA ranks. Last summer, the new Birds pitcher mainly played with the South Bend Cubs (A+). In 25 innings of work, he maintained an earned run average of 4.68 in addition to managing 27 strikeouts against 13 walks. Vargas spent the off-season pitching for las Águilas Metropolitanas of Liga Profesional de Béisbol de Panamá.
"Didier Vargas comes to the Aigles with great experience acquired in the Chicago Cubs organization. He worked as a starter and also as a reliever in affiliated baseball and we will determine his role more precisely during training camp," said the Birds manager, Matdthew Rusch.
In his six-year career in affiliated baseball, Vargas compiled a record of 19 wins and 19 losses. In his 335.1 innings on the mound, he had 304 three strikeouts while maintaining a 4.03 ERA and 1.40 WHIP.
"Didier knows Rodrigo Orozco well since the two have already played together with in Panama. Since the start of his career, Vargas has posted good statistics in the minors. He is notably a guy who is capable of accumulating strikeouts. I look forward to working with him," adds Rusch.
Vargas' signing joins that of outfielder Louis-Philippe Pelletier, first baseman Dalton Combs and pitcher Osman Gutierrez for the 2024 season.
The Aigles will begin their 11th season in their history – their 3rd in the Frontier League – on May 10, 2024 when they visit the Sussex County Miners. As for the local opening at Stade Quillorama, it is scheduled for May 17, 2024 against the newest member of the circuit, the New England Knockouts.
