Emilio Vargas (born August 12, 1996) is a Dominican professional baseball pitcher for the Dorados de Chihuahua of the Mexican League. He was signed by the Arizona Diamondbacks as an international free agent in 2013. He has previously played in the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL) for the CTBC Brothers.
Vargas signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks as an international free agent on January 23, 2013. He spent his first two seasons with the DSL Diamondbacks, going 1âÂÂ2 with a 6.35 ERA in innings in 2013 and 4âÂÂ4 with a 2.21 ERA in 61 innings in 2014. He split the 2015 season between the rookieâÂÂlevel Arizona League Diamondbacks, rookieâÂÂlevel Missoula Osprey, and HighâÂÂA Visalia Rawhide, going a combined 6âÂÂ1 with a 2.70 ERA over innings. His 2016 was split between the SingleâÂÂA Kane County Cougars and Visalia, combining to go 5âÂÂ6 with a 4.10 ERA over 85.2 innings. he spent the 2017 season with Kane County, 5âÂÂ7 with a 4.02 ERA in innings. His 2018 season was split between Visalia and the DoubleâÂÂA Jackson Generals, combining to go 9âÂÂ8 with a 2.88 ERA in innings.
On November 20, 2018, the Diamondbacks added Vargas to their 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 draft. He spent the 2019 season back with Jackson, going 5âÂÂ3 with a 3.78 ERA over 17 starts and striking out 70 over innings. Vargas did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
On November 20, 2020, Vargas was claimed off waivers by the Chicago White Sox. On February 1, 2021, Vargas was designated for assignment by the White Sox after the team reâÂÂsigned Carlos Rodón. He cleared waivers and was sent outright to the TripleâÂÂA Charlotte Knights on February 8. He spent the season with the DoubleâÂÂA Birmingham Barons, making 21 appearances (15 starts) and registering a 7âÂÂ4 record and 2.90 ERA with 99 strikeouts in innings pitched. He elected free agency following the season on November 7.
On November 28, 2021, Vargas reâÂÂsigned with the White Sox on a minor league contract. He spent the 2022 season split between DoubleâÂÂA Birmingham and TripleâÂÂA Charlotte, making 26 combined appearances (19 starts) and posting a 4âÂÂ9 record and 5.61 ERA with 116 strikeouts in innings of work. Vargas became a free agent following the season on November 10, 2022.
On April 20, 2023, Vargas signed with the Tecolotes de los Dos Laredos of the Mexican League. In 13 starts for the Tecolotes, Vargas logged a 5âÂÂ4 record and 4.50 ERA with 66 strikeouts in 70 innings pitched.
On July 6, 2023, Vargas signed with the CTBC Brothers of the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL). In 10 starts for CTBC, he posted a 3âÂÂ2 record and 2.55 ERA with 49 strikeouts in 67.0 innings of work. On October 4, Vargas' contract was terminated by the Brothers and he was issued a permanent ban by the CPBL. The ban was a result of a positive drug test, in which Tetrahydrocannabinol, a class 2 narcotic in Taiwan, and banned substance in the CPBL, was detected.
On April 2, 2024, Vargas signed with the Tecolotes de los Dos Laredos of the Mexican League. In 19 starts for Dos Laredos, he compiled a 6-5 record and 3.20 ERA with 99 strikeouts across innings pitched.
On December 9, 2025, Vargas was traded to the Dorados de Chihuahua of the Mexican League.