Legacy is tricky. It can either push you forward or weigh you down. It’s somewhere in between for Miguel Vargas, the son of Cuban baseball legend Lázaro Vargas. He was born on November 17, 1999, in Havana, Cuba. Growing up, he used to play baseball for Industriales de La Habana in the Cuban National League. Then, when Vargas turned 14, he moved out for a journey to the Bahamas before he signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers as a 17-year-old.
He signed as an international free agent, and soon enough he navigated his way through the Dodgers’ minor league system. Before you know it, he was one of their top prospects. He entered the big leagues later, as his MLB debut came on August 3rd. He was excited about this journey, the spotlight of MLB, and more.
However, he didn’t get consistent playing time. After that season, he was moving back and forth—sometimes to the Dodgers’ main roster and other times to their minor league teams. He kept refining his game, and soon enough, in 2024, the Dodgers traded him to the Chicago White Sox. Vargas saw this as an opportunity to show the league his capabilities. After all, baseball was in his DNA all along.
That being said, his father, Lázaro, beams with pride throughout his son’s baseball journey. “He’s definitely better than me,” he said, being a baseball legend himself. “He hits more than me, runs faster, and is stronger. He’s got better tools.” Vargas is a player who has worked his way through his career on his own.
He has watched his dad play at the highest level for Cuba. Vargas was a toddler when he witnessed Lázaro wrapping up his 16-year career for Industriales in Cuba. He has always been inspired by him and is carving his own path.
Who is Miguel Vargas? Who are his parents? All you need to know about his family
25-year-old rising MLB star Miguel Vargas is the son of Cuban baseball legend Lázaro Vargas. He proudly speaks of his father Lazaro’s 991 career hits and two Olympic gold medals. As much as he has been proud, he also has been clear about one thing. He wants to build his own legacy.
Ever since Vargas was young, it was his choice to not be in his father’s shadow. For instance, he never attempted to copy Lazaro’s batting stance. “I wanted to be me… as good as him or even better.” He said. Lazaro was an icon in Cuban baseball and concluded his career with a .322 batting average across 872 games and was hit by a pitch 136 times.
Even off the field, he has been the best father to Vargas. He made a decision with his wife to leave Cuba in order to give Vargas a shot at playing in the major league.
It was heartwarming to know that just two days prior to Vargas’ 15th birthday, Lazaro and his wife announced that the three of them are leaving for Ecuador. And from Ecuador, Vargas’ family moved to the Bahamas.
There, Lazaro used to train Miguel and his brother Alejandro regularly. Just like that, Miguel’s routine was getting intense with early-morning training sessions, limited time for meals and naps, and gym sessions at night. Waiting for two years to sign as a prospect tested his patience to the core, but quitting was never an option for him.
It’s his father’s footsteps and mother’s support that have pushed him forward. Vargas was relentlessly determined through the journey.
What are his MLB stats? Why did the Los Angeles Dodgers trade him? All about Vargas’s baseball journey
As of the 2025 season, Miguel is putting up impressive numbers and delivering exceptionally at the plate. In 193 at-bats, his batting average sits at .244 with 8 home runs and 26 RBIs along with a .756 OPS.
Just in mid-May, he earned the title of AL player of the week. Apparently, in a series opposing the Cincinnati Reds and the Chicago Cubs, he hit a stunning .417 with 4 home runs and 9 RBIs. It’s safe to say that this month, his performance was truly remarkable as a White Sox ace.
During his time with the Los Angeles Dodgers, he played well in their minor league system. In fact, he even earned many titles, such as the 2022 Triple-A Player of the Year and Dodgers Minor League Player of the Year. It was 3 August 2022 when he made his debut in the big leagues.
And in the next year, 2023, Vargas began the season as the Dodgers’ starting second baseman. However, he was in a rough spot with a .195 batting average across 81 games. That eventually sent him to Triple-A. He spent the first few months of 2024 in the minor league. Later, in July, he was traded to the Chicago White Sox in a three-team deal that also included the St. Louis Cardinals.
In this deal, the Dodgers signed the infielder Tommy Edman from the Cardinals. And from the White Sox, the Dodgers acquired relief pitcher Michael Kopech. Apparently, it started to become challenging for Vargas with the Dodgers, both offensively and defensively. Their infield was crowded anyway, and they had been eyeing Edman for quite some time.
Being on the White Sox, Vargas had to adjust his swing mechanics. But he worked relentlessly and bounced back stronger. He was 24 at that time, and till now he’s proving to be the White Sox’s key player.
The Cuban-born infielder has had one interesting journey. He has gone back and forth throughout his time in MLB, but right now, he seems to be finding his solace with the White Sox.
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