D-backs’ Ildemaro Vargas Receives 2026 Luis Gonzalez Award

Vargas is recognized by his teammates, coaches and staff for his contributions on and off the field during his seventh season with Arizona.

Ildemaro Vargas has been named the recipient of the Arizona Diamondbacks’ 2026 Luis Gonzalez Award, an honor presented annually to the player who best exemplifies the talents and spirit of former D-backs great Luis Gonzalez both on and off the field.

The award recognizes baseball accomplishments, community impact and fan engagement and is voted on by the team’s players, coaches and staff. The Diamondbacks established the award in 2015.

Vargas, a native of Caripito, Venezuela, made his major league debut with the Diamondbacks on June 29, 2017. The 2026 season marks his seventh with Arizona and 10th in the major leagues.

Throughout his career, Vargas has established himself as a versatile player. In nine MLB seasons, he has made 128 starts at third base, 99 at second base, 34 at shortstop, 13 in left field, 12 at first base and four as a designated hitter.

Vargas has also contributed on the mound. He made five pitching appearances in 2025 and has made three pitching appearances in 2026, recording 47 strikeouts during his pitching appearances across the two seasons.

During the Venezuelan Winter League’s 2024 season, Vargas played 29 games for Cardenales de Lara, batting .308 (36-for-117) with an .853 OPS, seven doubles, one triple, three home runs and 15 RBIs. He helped lead Lara to a league championship and a berth in the 2024-25 Caribbean Series in Mexico, where he hit .300 (6-for-20) with an .890 OPS, three doubles and one RBI in five games.

Vargas continued his strong winter performance in 2025, batting .370 (61-for-165) with a .960 OPS, 11 doubles, six home runs, 28 RBIs and 10 walks in 38 games with Lara.

Vargas joins a list of notable D-backs players who have received the Luis Gonzalez Award since its inception.

Luis Gonzalez Award Recipients