Miguel Vargas’ latest nomination just grouped White Sox breakout star with MLB’s most elite

Chicago White Sox third baseman Miguel Vargas has been announced as a finalist for the American League Hank Aaron Award. Noah Phalen reports that the nomination places Vargas alongside elite MLB hitters such as Yordan Alvarez and Bobby Witt Jr. following his breakout 2026 campaign.

Vargas played 159 games in 2026, batting .250 with 33 home runs, an .837 OPS, and a 5.3 fWAR. Phalen views Vargas' turnaround as symbolic of the White Sox' resurgence, as the franchise recently advanced to win a postseason series.