If David Ortiz was ever in the market for a stunt double, the Twins’ Kennys Vargas would be the man for the job.
A spitting image of Ortiz down to the sharply-trimmed beard, the 25-year-old Vargas is listed — perhaps generously — at 6 feet 5 inches and 290 pounds. Ortiz is listed at 6-3, 230, but the difference in stature was indiscernible as the two stood side-by-side, chatting in the grass behind second base before the pregame singing of the national anthem Thursday at Fenway Park.
“We had a good talk,’’ Ortiz said. “Those kids, I try to let them know what I know. That’s the only way you can get the game to get better. Pedro [Martinez] called me the other day asking for a number for a pitcher and I got it for him. All we worry about is trying to get the game better. Whenever you can help a youngster to make his game better, I’m not afraid.’’
Vargas is primarily a designated hitter, but like Ortiz can also play first base. He was the Twins’ DH Thursday night, was on the bench Friday, and started at first in Saturday’s matchup.
Vargas went 2 for 5 Saturday with a double and an RBI. He also scored a crucial run in the Twins’ 11-9 victory.
After doubling in the seventh inning, Vargas came home on a single to center by Eddie Rosario, his hand narrowly avoiding the tag attempt by Red Sox catcher Sandy Leon. Vargas was initially called out, but the Twins challenged the umpire’s ruling, the call was overturned, and the game was tied, 8-8. The Twins added two more in the five-run inning that put them ahead for good.
Despite the frequent comparisons with Ortiz, Vargas said he does not try to model his game entirely after Big Papi’s.
“I don’t try to hit like him, anything like that,’’ said Vargas, who unlike Ortiz is from Puerto Rico and is a switch-hitter. “I just try to imitate his approach, his personality out on the field, those things like that.’’
Vargas was signed by the Twins in 2009 as an amateur free agent and he made his big league debut Aug. 1, 2014. He played in 53 games that season, hitting .274 with nine home runs, 10 doubles, and 38 RBIs.
He played in 58 games with Minnesota in 2015 and hit .240 with just five home runs and 17 RBIs. Vargas began this season with Triple A Rochester before he was called up by the Twins on July 4.
“I’ve known him for the past couple years, good kid,’’ Ortiz said. “We talk a lot, we always call each other and text message and stuff because he’s trying to figure things out.’’
Vargas said he talks to Ortiz twice a week.
“You know he got the tools, he just wants to get ideas so he can put them in play and go from there,’’ Ortiz said.
Twins manager Paul Molitor said Vargas “got lost in the shuffle a little bit’’ after Minnesota signed designated hitter/first baseman Byung-ho Park in December, but he acknowledged Vargas is moving in the right direction in terms of his development as a hitter.
“Still young enough to resurrect his career,’’ Molitor said of Vargas. “He’s getting an opportunity to play somewhat, not every day but he’s getting at-bats. I think that his focus in terms of what he needs to do as far as taking care of himself, putting the work in every day, he seems to be on the high end right now. Hopefully he learned not to get too comfortable and take things for granted.’’
Vargas has made the most of his recent call-up. In 13 games this season, he is hitting .318 with three home runs, eight doubles, and five RBIs. He was named the American League Player of the Week on July 10.
“I think everyone feels his lefthanded swing is probably a little bit more polished, seemed a little bit more patient,’’ Molitor said. “But his righthanded at-bats have been pretty good up here so far. That really wasn’t the case down in Rochester.
“He’s danger. I think people are aware of him when he’s in the lineup because he can put runs on the board quickly. He’s young enough where we have to keep trying to find ways if he’s going to be part of where we’re going or not.’’
Emily McCarthy can be reached at emily.mccarthy@globe.com. Follow her on Twitter at @emilymccahthy.
