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Miguel Vargas Swinging Into Form as White Sox Tap Into Untapped Potential

Originally posted on On Tap Sports Net | By D.J. James | Last updated May 2, 2025 8:26 PM ET

Miguel Vargas has had a tremendous turnaround in recent weeks, and it's not just blind luck.

The Chicago White Sox hired Ryan Fuller as director of hitting in November 2024, but according to Lamond Pope of the Chicago Tribune, hitting Coach Marcus Thames, Assistant Hitting coach Joel McKeithan, and biomechanist Aaron Trunt have all contributed to Vargas's finding his groove.

The key change? Vargas now hits with his hands in a more flexible position, which gives him better plate coverage on pitches in the top and middle part of the zone, which is paying off.

Zoning In

Before April 21, Vargas slashed .147/.247/.213 over 85 plate appearances.

He walked eight times and struck out 21, and while the stat line was discouraging, his expected slash line of .185/.281/.296 suggested some bad luck was at play.

Vargas struggled badly in the upper and middle thirds of the strike zone, slashing just .136/.136/.136 in 22 plate appearances. His expected numbers weren't much better (.157/.157/.253). Those results wouldn't cut it despite posting a 47.4% hard-hit rate.

But zooming in on the bottom third of the strike zone told a different story. In 11 plate appearances, Vargas slashed .182/.182/.273, with a hard-hit rate north of 60%, and he averaged 96.3 mph on exit velocity. His expected slash line in that zone? A scorching .426/.426/.806.

The takeaway is that he was hitting the ball hard but wasn't getting rewarded.

The Turnaround Is Real

Since April 21, Vargas has seen real returns from his adjustments.

Vargas has mashed against pitches in the upper and middle parts of the zone, posting a .500/.500/.571 slash line with an expected line of .414/.414/.532 in 14 plate appearances. His average exit velocity sits above 94 mph, with a hard-hit rate nearing 60%.

Even on low pitches, he's held his own—he's 2-for-3 on strikes in the bottom of the zone. His home run on Thursday afternoon? Just below the strike zone, so he can still go down and get it.

Overall, he's put together an expected slash line of .281/.359/.439 across the entire zone.

cue the fireworks pic.twitter.com/OKiWwKyheU
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) May 1, 2025

Most of Vargas' whiffs this year have come on pitches in the upper and middle parts of the zone, so these adjustments are doing more than just improving the box score—they're helping him make more consistent contact, too.

His plate discipline metrics also reflect a strong approach. Vargas ranks in the top 17% of all hitters in chase rate and the top 34% in whiff rate. These adjustments should help boost nearly all of his peripheral stats.

What's On Tap Next?

Already a solid third baseman, Vargas has showcased his versatility throughout his MLB career, logging time at second base, first base, and even left field. He's projected to be a mainstay at third base for the White Sox, but his flexibility is invaluable for an organization still light on outfield depth.

Nevertheless, he's a promising development of a player who could become a foundational piece of the South Side rebuild. Vargas looks more confident, dangerous, and much more like the hitter the Sox hoped for when they brought him in.

This article first appeared on On Tap Sports Net and was syndicated with permission.

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