Miguel Vargas perfectly signifies where the Chicago White Sox were and where they are now.

The Sox acquired the third baseman from the Los Angeles Dodgers as part of a three-team trade in July 2024. He hit .104 in 42 games that season with the Sox, a team that lost a modern-day record 121 games.

Vargas is tied for the team lead in home runs this year, helping the Sox clinch their first playoff appearance since 2021.

“Probably it has been the most fun I’ve had playing baseball, especially at this level,” Vargas said on Tuesday in Kansas City, Mo. “I think I’ve enjoyed it a little bit more, especially after a couple of rough years for me and the team. Being able to accomplish what we accomplished as a group is huge. I was talking to (designated hitter Andrew Benintendi) the other day, I think he’s the only hitter that is still on the team since I got here in ’24.

“It has been a long way, especially for me, and I think that’s why I enjoy this moment a little bit more right now.”

Vargas has come through when the Sox have needed him the most. He earned American League Player of the Week honors on Monday after slashing .348/.500/.783 (8-for-23) with three home runs, nine RBIs, five runs and eight walks in seven games from Sept. 14-20.

“Just to see his progress over the last couple of years that I’ve been with him has been outstanding,” manager Will Venable said on Tuesday. “And when you think about the good stuff that’s going on in this organization, with this club, he’s right in the middle of everything. He’s just such a good guy, he works so hard, he’s a great teammate. He’s giving a lot of himself to other people and at the same time taking care of himself and performing at an elite level. Especially down here at the stretch, we’ve seen guys step up. He’s been one of the guys in the biggest moments that has played his best baseball.

“He wants these moments, he’s not backing down at all. I think we’ve seen him increase his attention to detail, everything. He’s absolutely locked in right now. He’s one of those guys that steps up and we’re seeing it every day.”

The All-Star stole his 20th base and scored his 100th run on Sept. 19 against the Detroit Tigers, becoming the first player in Sox history to record 30 doubles (31), 30 home runs (33), 20 stolen bases (21) and 100 runs (104) in a season.

He is the first Sox player since Jim Thome (108) and Jermaine Dye (103) in 2006 to score 100 runs in a season.

The impact continued this week, with Vargas collecting two hits, two RBIs and scoring two runs in Thursday’s postseason-clinching 9-1 victory against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium.

Vargas entered Friday’s series opener against the Colorado Rockies at Rate Field tied for second in the American League in runs, fourth in walks (98), tied for fourth in extra-base hits (65), tied for fifth in home runs, eighth in OPS (.842) and slugging percentage (.479), and tied for ninth in doubles.

Asked if his offensive or defensive strides stood out more, Vargas responded: “The wins actually mean a lot for me.”

“Sometimes I have a good game, and we don’t win and it doesn’t feel as special,” he continued. “When you have the whole package and we win, it makes a huge difference. You are helping the team to win. That’s what it’s all about.”

The Sox responded well after watching a six-run lead disappear in an 11-8 loss to the Tigers on Sept. 18. They’ve won four out of five since on the way to securing the playoff spot.

“It’s the 2026 White Sox,” Vargas said. “We don’t give up. We go the next day and play another nine innings. We have to be ready the next day. I don’t think having a tough game affects us. Obviously we get mad, we get pissed, but we find a way to recover the next day and win the game.”

That mentality has the Sox in a spot few saw coming after three consecutive 100-plus loss seasons.

“It’s unbelievable,” Vargas said after Thursday’s win. “We’re very happy for the moment, enjoy it. It was since spring training (that) we got that mentality, and to be able to accomplish it means a lot for us.”

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