TAMPA, Fla. — Fans were quick to read into a shot of Miguel Vargas during a White Sox broadcast last summer, staring into space at the end of the dugout fresh off his trade from the eventual World Series-winning Dodgers.
Who wouldn’t be dejected after landing on a historically bad team — and then contributing a hideous .104/.217/.170 slash line to that dismal lineup?
But fast-forward a year and you’ll see a much different, more jovial Vargas ribbing teammates in the Sox’ clubhouse.
You’ll find a different player on the field, too, one who’s hitting his way into the Sox’ long-term plans as part of a budding infield at the core of general manager Chris Getz’ rebuild.
Vargas leads the Sox in home runs (12) and runs scored (51) and is tied for the team lead in RBI (40) and WAR (1.4). He’s also been the steadiest presence in manager Will Venable’s lineup cards at first base and third base, playing in all but four games so far this year.
“As he’s continuing to perform, and as he continues to be comfortable with the guys in the clubhouse, we’re seeing him grow really in all areas,” manager Will Venable said.
The face of a man who got traded from the Dodgers to the White Sox pic.twitter.com/0pMAuXPDCx
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) August 6, 2024
It all makes last year’s trade look better for Getz & Co., who were criticized in some MLB circles for giving up Michael Kopech, Erick Fedde and Tommy Pham in a three-team swap for Vargas and a pair of lesser-known prospects.
Kopech won a World Series but has dealt with injuries and appeared in only 32 games for the Dodgers. Fedde has labored to a 3-9 record with a 5.22 ERA for St. Louis, while Pham is slashing .254/.320/.353 for the Pirates.
Vargas, meanwhile, has rebounded from a dreadful start to his Sox career for a .221/.304/.402 slash line this season, with 25 doubles. He calls landing on the South Side “the best thing to happen to me and my career, to come to this organization and to have the opportunity to play every single day.”
“I feel, coming into this year, I understand that a little bit more,” Vargas said. “It’s good to see good results.’’
And he’s found them while playing on both sides of the diamond. Vargas was the Opening Day starter at the hot corner, but he’s become Venable’s everyday first baseman following the departure of Andrew Vaughn and the rookie struggles of Tim Elko, who’s on the injured list with a knee injury.
“Whatever position he’s playing, he looks like he belongs,” said fellow infielder and former Arizona Diamondback Josh Rojas, who said he admired Vargas when they were both playing in the National League West. Rojas said he’s seeing a new player blossom in Chicago, forged in no small part by a tough campaign last year.
“It’s the maturity when it comes to struggling in a season. That’s the biggest battle that people face when they get to the big leagues,” Rojas said. “He’s had his waves, and then he’s had his times where he’s put some 0-fers out there for a week or so. He’s handled those ups and downs well.”
The consistent ups have planted Vargas firmly in the rebuilding Sox’ infield plans, even if the positions aren’t set alongside second baseman-turned-shortstop Chase Meidroth and shortstop Colson Montgomery — who’s getting plenty of time at third base since his MLB debut earlier this month.
Vargas figures to take most of the reps at first base for the rest of the season, which has served him well out of the All-Star break. He’s tabbed two home runs and five RBI for a resurgent Sox offense out of the gate into the second half.
“We’re seeing a guy that’s just rested and refreshed after I wore him out, playing him every day for the first few months of the season,” Venable said. “He’s somebody that we value. The defensive versatility, obviously what he brings to the plate, and he’s one of our guys in the clubhouse, too.”