This past Saturday, infielder Miguel Vargas etched his name in Major League Baseball history, becoming the third Cuban-born player to achieve a remarkable milestone in a single season. According to sports journalist Francys Romero, Vargas reached the combination of 30 or more doubles, 30 or more home runs, 100 or more runs scored, and at least 20 stolen bases.
The 26-year-old Chicago White Sox player has amassed impressive stats during the 2026 season, recording 33 home runs, 101 runs scored, 31 doubles, and 20 stolen bases, along with a batting average of .250 and an OPS of .841.
Joining Elite Cuban Company
Before Vargas, only two other Cuban players had accomplished this feat: José Canseco, who did it twice with the Oakland Athletics—first in 1988 with 42 home runs, 120 runs, 34 doubles, and 40 steals in MLB's first 40-40 season, and again in 1991 with 44 homers, 115 runs, 32 doubles, and 26 steals—and Rafael Palmeiro, who achieved it in 1993 with the Texas Rangers, tallying 37 home runs, 124 runs, 40 doubles, and 22 steals.
Vargas now joins these legends as the third Cuban player to reach this impressive mark, showcasing his comprehensive skill set: power, speed, and consistent production.
A Season of Milestones
The 2026 season has been a series of achievements for the Havana native. He earned his first selection to the MLB All-Star Game in July, marking his debut at the Midsummer Classic.
By the end of August, Vargas was leading the American League in runs scored, and on September 1, he matched two historic records set by Cuban players, including 85 walks in a single season.
On September 15, with his 31st home run, Vargas entered the record books as the fifth third baseman in White Sox history with the most home runs in a single season, trailing only Todd Frazier (40 in 2016), Robin Ventura (34 in 1996), and Bill Melton (33 in 1970 and 1971).
Born in Havana on November 17, 1999, Vargas left Cuba in 2015 with his father, former player Lázaro Vargas, and signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers in September 2017. He made his MLB debut in August 2022 and was traded to Chicago in a three-team deal in July 2024.
With the regular season still underway, there’s potential for Vargas's numbers to grow even more. As Francys Romero aptly noted when sharing this achievement: “A 2026 season for the books.”
Frequently Asked Questions about Miguel Vargas's Milestone
Who are the other Cuban players to achieve this milestone in MLB?
Before Miguel Vargas, José Canseco and Rafael Palmeiro were the only Cuban players to achieve the combination of 30+ doubles, 30+ home runs, 100+ runs scored, and 20+ stolen bases in a single season.
What significant records did Miguel Vargas achieve in the 2026 season?
In 2026, Vargas was selected for the MLB All-Star Game, led the American League in runs scored by the end of August, and matched historical records for Cuban players, including 85 walks in a season.