Well-traveled Vargas got start in California

Jason Vargas, SP, Royals

Hometown: Apple Valley, Calif.

Through nine seasons, Jason Vargas has already played for five MLB teams. This should come as no surprise given the finicky nature of his college career.

Vargas, born and raised in Apple Valley, played three years of college baseball with three different schools. He began his career at Louisiana State University, before heading back to his native Golden State after just one season.

The left-hander spent one year at Cypress College, then logged his junior season at Long Beach State. The Marlins selected him in the second round of the 2004 First-Year Player Draft.                              

Vargas remained close with Long Beach State head coach Troy Buckley well into his Major League career. Buckley, in an article with the Kansas City Star, remembered the cool, unflappable attitude Vargas exuded on the mound.

"There was just a pace about him," Buckley told The Star. "It doesn't look like there's any heartbeat, to a degree."

Jason Thompson (1976-1986) is the only other Apple Valley High School graduate to reach the Majors.