Miguel Vargas Ties 84-Year-Old MLB Walks Record for Cuban-Born Infielders

September 4, 2026

Cuban third baseman Miguel Vargas of the Chicago White Sox tied an 84-year-old record on September 1, 2026: the most walks in a season by a Cuban-born infielder in Major League history. His 85th walk of the year matched the mark set in 1942 by Havana-born Roberto "Bobby" Estalella with the Washington Senators, who finished that season with a .400 on-base percentage over 133 games.

Vargas is putting together the most complete season of his career. Through the end of August he had hit 29 home runs — more than double his previous career high of 16 — to go with an .861 OPS and the American League lead in runs scored, with 91. White Sox hitting coach Walker McKinven credited two offseasons of strength training that let Vargas add bat speed without sacrificing his contact skills or plate discipline.

The son of celebrated Cuban third baseman Lázaro Vargas, Miguel left Cuba with his father at age 14 and signed as an international free agent with the Los Angeles Dodgers in September 2017. He debuted in the majors in August 2022 and was traded to the White Sox in 2024, the team with which he already made headlines this year by hitting the decisive home run in the 2026 All-Star Game. With the new milestone, Vargas now sits one walk away from breaking outright the mark Estalella held for eight decades.