Cuban athlete Miguel Vargas, third baseman for the Chicago White Sox, has been honored with his second American League Player of the Week award this Monday, as announced by MLB. Both accolades were achieved during the 2026 season.
The 27-year-old from Havana delivered an outstanding performance from September 14 to 20, accumulating eight hits in 23 at-bats (.348), three home runs, nine RBIs, a double, and two stolen bases across seven games.
Vargas played a pivotal role in the series against the Cleveland Guardians, direct contenders in the Central Division, where he went 4-for-11 with a home run and five RBIs.
Key Performance Against the Tigers
The highlight of his week came on Saturday against the Detroit Tigers. He hit a home run, stole a base, and made a remarkable defensive play at third base, contributing to a crucial victory for Chicago.
Fueled by his momentum, the White Sox won four out of seven games, entering the final week of the season just one game behind the Guardians in the divisional title race.
Historic Season for Vargas
This award comes amidst a historic season for Vargas: the third baseman has totaled 33 home runs, 31 doubles, 101 runs scored, 88 RBIs, and 20 stolen bases, with a .251 batting average and an OPS of .844.
These statistics make him the third Cuban in MLB history to achieve the combination of 30 or more doubles, 30 or more home runs, 100 or more runs scored, and at least 20 stolen bases in a single season.
Only José Canseco—in 1988 and 1991 with Oakland—and Rafael Palmeiro—in 1993 with Texas—had previously reached this milestone among players born on the island.
Joining Franchise Legends
Within the franchise, Vargas joins Venezuelan Magglio Ordóñez (2001) and Cuban Luis Robert Jr. (2023) as the only hitters in White Sox history to record 30 home runs and 20 stolen bases in a single season.
Vargas' first Player of the Week award in 2026 came in May, as his performance began to foreshadow a standout season.
In July, he earned his first selection to the All-Star Game, held at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, where he smashed a 433-foot home run, becoming the third player in Chicago's history to achieve this feat at that venue.
From Cuba to Major League Success
Son of legendary Cuban infielder Lázaro Vargas, Miguel left Cuba in 2015, signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers in September 2017, and made his MLB debut on August 3, 2022.
After struggling to cement his place in Los Angeles, he was traded to Chicago in July 2024 in a three-team deal and found the spotlight he was missing with the White Sox.
Vargas' individual resurgence aligns with the transformation of a team that recorded a 41-121 record in 2024—the worst in the modern era—and a 60-102 record in 2025, and is now contending for a postseason spot.
In total, 32 Cuban-born players have won the MLB Player of the Week award since its inception in 1973, with José Canseco leading historically with seven awards and Yordan Álvarez as the active leader with five.
Miguel Vargas' Achievements and Impact
What achievements has Miguel Vargas accomplished this season?
Miguel Vargas has totaled 33 home runs, 31 doubles, 101 runs scored, 88 RBIs, and 20 stolen bases, with a batting average of .251 and an OPS of .844.
How does Miguel Vargas' performance compare historically among Cuban players?
Vargas is the third Cuban in MLB history to achieve 30 or more doubles, 30 or more home runs, 100 or more runs scored, and at least 20 stolen bases in a single season, joining José Canseco and Rafael Palmeiro.
What significant milestone did Vargas reach in the All-Star Game?
In the All-Star Game, Vargas hit a 433-foot home run, becoming the third player in Chicago White Sox history to achieve this at Citizens Bank Park.