GLENDALE, Ariz. — Miguel Vargas, who has played multiple infield positions and left field during his four-year major league career, is set to claim third base as his permanent spot for the White Sox in 2026. At 26 years old, Vargas embraces this new role with great enthusiasm, though his father, Lazaro Vargas, a longtime third baseman in Cuba, holds a special connection to the position as well.
Lazaro Vargas, who defended third base during his 22-year career in Cuba, is a two-time Olympic gold medalist from 1992 and 1996. Miguel shares a strong bond with his father, who inspired him to make third base his focus.
That position has always been special to me,
Miguel Vargas said on Friday.
Vargas also honors his father by wearing jersey No. 20, the same number Lazaro sported during his career. The elder Vargas was moved to tears when he first saw his son donning the number.
When he first saw it, he cried,
Miguel Vargas recalled.
Highlighting Vargas’ Performance and Aspirations
During the 2025 season, Vargas delivered his best performance to date, playing 138 games and leading the White Sox with 32 doubles and 80 runs scored. He finished with a .234 batting average, a .316 on-base percentage, and a .401 slugging percentage, along with 16 home runs and 60 RBIs. His abilities on the field extended across multiple positions, with 79 games at third base, 69 at first base, and one in left field.
I achieved a lot of things that I wanted to achieve, especially playing the whole year in the big leagues and staying healthy,
Vargas said.
Helping my team every day was special. It’s hard to stay healthy the whole year in the big leagues.
Looking ahead, Vargas aims to solidify his role at third base and improve his offensive consistency, specifically targeting a reduction in strikeouts.
My biggest challenge is to play third base every day. Offensively I want to lower my strikeout rate [17.6%] I wasn’t striking out too much, but nobody likes to strike out.
His determination extends beyond individual stats to team success as well.
We have a really good group and I’m excited about this season,
Vargas said after a 2-for-3 performance with a double against MacKenzie Gore on Friday.
Injuries Affecting the White Sox Outfield
The White Sox are managing injuries that have sidelined multiple outfielders. Left fielder Andrew Benintendi withdrew from the lineup due to tightness on his right side, joining center fielders Luisangel Acuna and Everson Pereria, who are both unavailable.
Manager Will Venable described Benintendi’s condition as precautionary, noting that although the player feels fine and likely would have played in a regular season game, the team chose to be cautious during spring activities.
He’s been running around a lot, swinging a lot. Really just precautionary, he said he feels fine. I think he would play if this was the regular season, but just want to be cautious.
— Will Venable, White Sox Manager
Acuna suffered a left eye cut requiring stitches after a helmet dislodgment sliding into second base, and Pereria is sidelined with a right oblique strain and is not expected to return soon.
Pitching Staff Focused on Consistency and Early Success
Right-handed pitcher Erick Fedde, recently rejoined after an extended absence, emphasized the coaching staff’s message to prioritize striking early in counts to increase chances of winning innings. The team’s pitching philosophy centers on attacking hitters aggressively within the first pitches.
They’ve been harping on ‘win the first three,’ I’m sure you’ve heard it from other guys. It’s been the heart and soul of the pitching mentality.
— Erick Fedde, Right-handed Pitcher
Fedde’s strong outing included 19 strikes out of 29 pitches across two scoreless innings on Friday. The coaching staff provides data reinforcing that winning two out of three pitches early leads to better outcomes, a strategy the pitchers are committed to following.
The [coaches and staff] share our numbers like, ‘look what you do when you win two out of three and what you do when you don’t win’ it so it’s been a mindset of mine.
Today was let’s attack these guys and the numbers say it’s better, so let’s do it and trust it.
Recent Performances and Team Outlook
The White Sox hold a 5-4 record after their recent games against the Rangers and the Brewers. In the matchup versus the Rangers, LaMonte Wade Jr. contributed a home run, while Miguel Vargas maintained a strong .384 batting average during the series.
Relief pitcher Mike Vasil, who aspires to transition into a starting role, impressed by striking out four batters while yielding only one run across three innings. Sox prospects also showed promise; left-handed pitcher Noah Schultz recorded three strikeouts without walks despite allowing one run in a three-inning appearance against the Brewers. Tanner McDougal, another righty, allowed two runs on four hits, with three strikeouts over his three innings.
Next, the Sox are scheduled to face the Guardians at Goodyear, with Shane Smith set to pitch against Tanner Bibee.
Significance of Vargas’ Transition to Third Base
Settling Miguel Vargas at third base may provide the White Sox with much-needed stability in their infield, reflecting both Vargas’ personal connection to the position and the team’s strategic plans. His progress this past season illustrates a player growing into a more reliable presence on the field. Given his commitment to refining his offensive approach and the support he has from his family legacy, Vargas is positioned to make an important impact as he embraces his new role.
Meanwhile, managing injuries and strengthening pitching tactics remain key to the team’s aims for a successful season. The White Sox’s focus on early success in innings reflects a tactical mindset that complements Vargas’ steady development, offering fans hope for improved outcomes in the coming year.
