Miguel Vargas Overcomes Slump to Make All-Star Team

By the Editorial Team · Sunday, July 5, 2026

Miguel Vargas overcame a challenging start after his trade to the Chicago White Sox to earn the team's sole spot on the American League All-Star roster for the July 14 game. His resurgence, driven by offseason improvements and strong clubhouse support, marks the first White Sox third baseman selected as an All-Star since 2008 and underscores his vital role in the team's success this season.

CLEVELAND — Miguel Vargas has emerged from a difficult period to earn a spot on the American League All-Star team, becoming the Chicago White Sox’s sole representative for the July 14 game in Philadelphia.

After being traded from the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2024, Vargas struggled significantly in his initial stretch with the White Sox, batting just .104 over 42 games. The move from the staunchly competitive Dodgers to the struggling White Sox appeared to affect both his performance and confidence. "It was hard at the moment," Vargas said. "I thought, ‘I just want to have joy and be happy on the field and be myself,’ and I couldn’t find that." He credited his current teammates for helping him regain his enthusiasm and form, highlighting the support he found within the team's clubhouse.

White Sox manager Will Venable praised Vargas’s turnaround throughout the season. “I’m so happy for [Vargas],” Venable said. “You’re not supposed to have favorites, and I’m not going to say he’s my favorite, but I’m a big fan. It really starts with the kind of guy he is, the things that he does in the clubhouse, on the field, before you even start talking about the excellent performance that he’s been able to tap into this year.”

Vargas’s selection marks a milestone for the White Sox, as he is their first All-Star third baseman since Joe Crede in 2008. His recent performance has been a driving force for the team, illustrated by a key moment Friday when he crushed his 20th home run following a 10-pitch at-bat, a three-run shot to left field.

As of Saturday, Vargas ranked tied for fourth in the American League in runs scored with 58, sixth in walks (51), tied for sixth in home runs, and eighth in slugging percentage (.495), underscoring his effectiveness at the plate this season.

Manager Venable attributed Vargas’s resurgence to dedicated offseason work focusing on his physical condition and batting mechanics. “He went into the offseason and worked extremely hard on his body, extremely hard on his swing,” Venable said. “You saw the bat speed go up. He physically looks like he’s in a better spot and has been able to sustain these stretches of performing well to the point where it’s just what you expect every day.”

Vargas’s journey from midseason slump to All-Star recognition highlights his resilience and the impact of a supportive team environment in reversing a player’s fortunes.

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