MVP Vargas? White Sox fans behind third baseman's breakout season

CHICAGO -- The “M-V-P” chants for Miguel Vargas popped up proudly and loudly a couple of times from fervent White Sox supporters during this weekend’s homestand, where the South Siders finished with two series victories despite a 5-4 loss to the Royals on Sunday at Rate Field.

Fans are going to be biased toward their players, as they should be. But in the case of Vargas, leading his 43-39 squad to a tie atop the American League Central with the Guardians (44-40), the White Sox fans are on target.

Vargas reached base four times in Sunday’s setback, launching a two-run first-inning home run off Royals starter Luinder Avila, doubling, walking twice and scoring two runs. Over this 4-2 home showing against Cleveland and Kansas City, Vargas went 10-for-23 (.435) with three homers, eight RBIs, four walks and five runs scored.

So, how does Vargas feel about the Most Valuable Player depiction? When asked before Sunday’s loss, Vargas laughed and returned the praise to the fans.

“It’s fun,” Vargas told MLB.com. “It’s fun when you got a lot of people out there that care about you and they come every night to support you. I’m glad to represent the South Side and play in front of them every night, for sure.”

“He’s been insane,” said White Sox starter Anthony Kay of his third baseman. “I had never seen him play up until this year, and he’s been obviously a huge piece for us. To have him in the lineup and the defense that he has at third base -- it’s fun to plug into the lineup every day.”

Kay dropped to 6-3 overall, yielding five runs (four earned) on seven hits in 3 2/3 innings, while striking out two and walking one. He gave up a run in the first inning to the Royals (35-50), but Vargas answered immediately with his 19th home run that scored Sam Antonacci, who had walked to open the bottom half of the first.

One more long ball from Vargas gives the White Sox three players with at least 20 homers prior to the All-Star break for the first time since 2006, as Munetaka Murakami and Colson Montgomery already reside at 20. In ‘06, Jermaine Dye launched 25 in 78 games, Paul Konerko had 21 in 85 games and Hall of Famer Jim Thome drove out 30 in 82 games.

So if Vargas is not willing to address AL MVP talk, which is understandable with 80 games to play, how would he feel about being part of the Home Run Derby during All-Star festivities in Philadelphia? His home run total is now tied with Toronto’s Kazuma Okamoto for second among all third basemen, trailing only Tampa Bay’s Junior Caminero at 22.

“Oh no, like I've said before, I'm not a home run guy,” said a smiling Vargas postgame Sunday. “I don't know. Obviously that's a dream, too. We'll see how that goes."

“He just continues to make really good swing decisions,” said White Sox manager Will Venable of Vargas. “I think some of these at-bats, one today he [went from] 0-2 to a walk there, just really impressive against really good arms.”

That 0-2 to a walk situation led off the seventh against reliever Lucas Erceg, but the White Sox offense couldn’t push Vargas, who represented the tying run, across. In fact, after taking a 4-3 lead in the second, the White Sox didn’t score again.

Alex Lange picked up his seventh save with a perfect ninth inning. It seemed almost expected that a White Sox team with seven walk-off hits from seven different players, including four from rookies, would add another one to their list at a home venue where they are 24-6 over their last 30 games.

Instead, Chicago moves on to Baltimore and then Cleveland, for a crucial four-game weekend set sitting at a 15-25 road record.

Keeping Vargas strong is a key factor, especially with Murakami still sidelined due to the right hamstring strain. Vargas has a slash line of .252/.366/.500 with 52 RBIs, 14 doubles and 10 stolen bases in 81 games to ago along with solid defense at third.

Those numbers suggest a first All-Star selection for the 26-year-old. But the team is the focus for Vargas above any individual honors.

“That's something I obviously want to reach, it's something everybody wants to do,” Vargas said. “But as a team we've been playing really good, and we've got bigger goals than that. I'm not a selfish guy, so I want to focus and end this half really strong and see how it takes for the second half.

“I'm just trying to be better every single day and have fun every day. This group of guys have been bringing a lot of energy and joy to the clubhouse and for me, I just want to be part of it and enjoy the game."