Aces All-Time Hits Leader, Ildemaro Vargas, Resigns with the Diamondbacks for the 2025 Season

RENO, Nev. -- A familiar smiling face has a chance to return to Greater Nevada Field in 2025, with the announcement of the signing of infielder Ildemaro Vargas by the Arizona Diamondbacks to a minor league deal, with an invitation to spring training on December 17.

The Caripito, Venezuela, native donned a Reno Aces uniform and became a fan favorite in the Biggest Little City for the five seasons: 2016-2019 and 2021.

His Aces career began spectacularly on July 17, 2016, when he was added to the Reno's roster. Over the final 49 games of the season, he batted .354 with 15 extra-base hits, 18 RBI, 25 runs scored, and 13 stolen bases.

The following year, he was a key member of the Reno Aces team that claimed the 2017 Pacific Coast League Northern Divisional title. Still, the club eventually lost to the El Paso Chihuahuas in the postseason.

Numerous accolades marked Vargas' time with the Reno Aces. He was a two-time Arizona Diamondbacks Organizational All-Star selection by MiLB.com in 2016 and 2017, a two-time Pacific Coast League Mid-Season All-Star selection (2017 and 2018), and a PCL Post-Season All-Star selection in 2018.

Vargas is the only Aces player to surpass the 500-hit mark (517), a staggering 118 hits more than the next player on the list. His 360 singles alone would rank him third all-time in hits, a testament to his exceptional skills in the batter's box.

The switch-hitter also leads the franchise in at-bats (1595), plate appearances (1736), singles (360) and doubles (109). While sitting second in the Aces record books in games (371) and runs (270). He sits three games and two runs behind Cole Gillespie.

He is also one of four Reno Aces of all time to reach the 200-RBI level (200 RBI) and is 22 behind Mike Jacobs for the franchise lead.

His prolific bat also registered the Aces' longest hitting streak in franchise history, 35 games, from June 24 through August 11, 2018. During the streak, he tallied 57 total bases.

Since leaving the Arizona Diamondbacks organization in 2022, Vargas has played for the Chicago Cubs and Washington Nationals. In his three seasons with the Nationals, he appeared in 236 games, including an MLB career-high of 97 last year.

Now at 33, Vargas brings the potential of a stabilizing, veteran-infield-depth piece within the Arizona Diamondbacks roster. Or he could become an instrumental force within the Reno Aces clubhouse at Greater Nevada Field. His veteran presence could help the Aces seek another successful playoff run.

The Arizona Diamondbacks' first full team workout during Spring Training will be on February 19 at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick in Scottsdale. This period will be crucial for Vargas as his performance over the six weeks of Spring Training will determine his future for the 2025 season.

The Reno Aces will open the 2025 season on the road in Las Vegas on Friday, March 28. They will make their home debut at Greater Nevada Field on Tuesday, April 1, hosting the Tacoma Rainiers, the Seattle Mariners' Triple-A affiliate, at 2:05 p.m. PDT.

Season memberships for the 2025 season are available via RenoAces.com by texting "MEMBER" to 21003 or calling (775) 334-7000.

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