Miguel Vargas is proof that adjustments can pay off.
The Chicago White Sox third baseman made tweaks at the plate last month. And his production has been steadily on the rise.
Last week, Vargas slashed .417/.423/1.000 with two doubles, four home runs, nine RBIs and five runs in six games. On Monday, he was named the American League Player of the Week for May 12-18.
“It means a lot,” Vargas said of the honor before Monday’s game against the Seattle Mariners at Rate Field. “After what I’ve been through the last year and this year early, to accomplish this type of thing makes me very proud and to trust to keep going.”
Since April 23, Vargas is slashing .350/.418/.638 with five doubles, six home runs, 15 RBIs and 13 runs in 22 games.
During that span, the 25-year-old ranks third in the AL in average, fourth in on-base percentage, slugging and OPS (1.055) and tied for sixth in home runs and total bases (51).
His adjustments included having his hands in a position where his first move would be a little bit higher.
“It means all the world to me for sure,” Vargas said of seeing results from the changes. “Sometimes we don’t get the result that we wanted and we get so sad about it. But when you’ve got weeks like this and you see a good process going on, you feel like you’re back. You’ve got to keep trusting what you’re doing and keep doing it.”
Vargas had three home runs during the weekend City Series against the Chicago Cubs, including two on Friday. He homered again Sunday and had a brief conversation after getting hit by a Brad Keller pitch later in the game.
“I just wanted to know what was his favorite restaurant,” Vargas joked after Sunday’s game at Wrigley Field.
Vargas had a .139 batting average on April 21. It was at .245 entering Monday.
“We’ve talked for a couple weeks now about how his adjustments have been paying off,” manager Will Venable said. “And they’ve continued to sustain and lead to an unbelievable performance for (Vargas). So super happy for him and just a great job by our hitting department, by (Vargas) for working extremely hard.
“He’s been very consistent with everything that he’s done from day one, and we’re seeing the results on the field be very consistent as well.”
The Sox acquired Vargas last July from the Los Angeles Dodgers as part of the three-team trade that included sending pitcher Michael Kopech from the Sox to the Dodgers and pitcher Erick Fedde and outfielder Tommy Pham from the Sox to the St. Louis Cardinals.
Vargas hit .104 in 42 games last season with the Sox after the deal. He’s been able to leave that in the past after rebounding from the slow start to 2025.
“That’s something that I’ve been working on, being in the present and being where I am right now,” Vargas said. “It’s a process that I’ve been really enjoying and I want to keep my feet on the ground and keep going and having these types of moments.
“In general, I think I’m a better player than I was before. That’s what my goal is every single year. Right now I’m in a pretty decent spot and I just want to enjoy it and be the best I can be every day.”
Vargas became the first Sox position player to be named AL Player of the Week since Luis Robert Jr. from June 19-25, 2023. He’s focused on continuing to grow.
“I think it can be better for sure,” he said. “The sky is the limit for me and I want to reach it the most that I can and just enjoy the ride.”
Austin Slater returns from the injured list
The Sox reinstated outfielder Austin Slater from the 10-day injured list on Monday afternoon.
Slater retroactively went on the IL on April 11 and underwent surgery on April 15 to repair a meniscus tear in his right knee. Slater entered Monday 5-for-20 (.250) with two doubles, one home run, one RBI and two runs in eight games this season.
“Any time you miss an extended period, you just want to get back out there to help any way you can,” Slater said before Monday’s game.
In Monday’s corresponding move, the Sox optioned infielder/outfielder Brooks Baldwin to Triple-A Charlotte. The versatile Baldwin has a .215/.257/.331 slash line with six doubles, three home runs, 16 RBIs and eight runs in 44 games.
“He did a great job,” Venable said. “Baldwin’s been asked to do a lot really early in his career. And so with some of these guys coming back and getting healthy, it’s going to be a little less playing time. And he’s at a point in his career where he really needs to play.
“And we want to expose him to center field a little bit more, (and have) some more opportunity on the dirt (at shortstop). We just think really highly of him and want to give him a chance to have everyday at-bats.”
Additionally, Sox left fielder Andrew Benintendi is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment with Charlotte on Tuesday. The Sox retroactively placed Benintendi on the IL on May 5 with a left calf strain.
