\u201cI had a lot of fun with that one,\u201d Vargas told the Tribune on Sunday.<\/p>\n
![\"Chicago](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/CTC-L-cubs-sox020_229322206.jpg\")
Chicago White Sox third baseman Miguel Vargas hits a two-run home run in the first inning of a game against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field in Chicago on May 16, 2025. (Chris Sweda\/Chicago Tribune)<\/p>\n
With the season nearing an end, Vargas reflected on some of his growth from 2024 to 2025.<\/p>\n
\u201cI learned so much from 2024 and I wanted to carry that into 2025,\u201d Vargas said, referring to his struggles at the plate when he hit .104 in 42 games after being traded from the Los Angeles Dodgers to the Sox in July 2024. \u201cI think that helped me so much (going) into this year to get ready mentally and physically to play 162 games. It\u2019s the top level of baseball and the best baseball in the world, so you have to get ready and carry that through 162 games.\u201d<\/p>\n
Vargas came into Tuesday\u2019s series opener against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium slashing .230\/.311\/.398 with 15 home runs and 57 RBIs in 132 games. His team-leading 32 doubles ranked 10th in the American League entering Tuesday.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s had some real stretches of helping our offense,\u201d Sox general manager Chris Getz said last week. \u201cI think there\u2019s another step forward that he can make and he\u2019s got the makeup to attack it in the right way to help his own game, to help our team.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"Chicago](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/CTC-L-SOX-ORIOLES-51_237483882.jpg\")
Chicago White Sox third base Miguel Vargas catches a pop-up during the seventh inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Rate Field on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025. (Eileen T. Meslar\/Chicago Tribune)<\/p>\n
Getz also noted Vargas\u2019 \u201csolid\u201d defense at third and first base.<\/p>\n
\u201cDefense means a lot for me,\u201d Vargas said. \u201cI feel I still can be better at defense. It helps the pitcher and helps our team win baseball games.\u201d<\/p>\n
Manager Will Venable said Vargas has been \u201cvery impactful.\u201d That was the case during the weekend series against the San Diego Padres at Rate Field. Vargas homered on Friday<\/a>, had an RBI double as part of a two-hit game Saturday and collected another RBI Sunday.<\/p>\n \u201cVery good player, better athlete than I gave him credit for coming in,\u201d Venable said before Tuesday\u2019s game. \u201cJust to watch him go through this year and establish himself within the group as a leader, a vocal leader, someone who goes out there and leads by example, was also cool.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s opportunity to take those chances and take a role in leadership here and he\u2019s definitely someone who has. He\u2019s a good player, a good guy, really glad (Vargas is) here.\u201d<\/p>\n Vargas fed off his teammates.<\/p>\n \u201cMy teammates have been so good, so great,\u201d Vargas said. \u201cAll the young guys, we\u2019re all hungry. We all want to show what we can do on the field and it\u2019s a great thing to see young guys come here and show what they can do.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"Chicago](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/1758673572_417_CTC-Z-Orioles-White-Sox-Baseball_237263080.jpg\")
Chicago White Sox’s Andrew Benintendi hits a two-run home run during the eighth inning of a game against the Baltimore Orioles in Chicago on Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025. (AP Photo\/Nam Y. Huh)<\/p>\n