With one week left on the regular-season calendar, Miguel Vargas and Jake Cronenworth gave their clubs the kind of push that changes the feel of a September clubhouse. Vargas powered the White Sox through a tight American League Central chase, while Cronenworth helped San Diego sharpen its grip on a National League postseason place. Both were rewarded with the second Player of the Week honors of their MLB careers.
Vargas keeps adding to a landmark White Sox season
Vargas had already collected his first weekly award in May, and the 26-year-old All-Star has kept building the strongest season of his career. Chicago went 4-3 during the week, pulling within one game of the Guardians in the AL Central as the final seven days arrived.
- Vargas went 8-for-23, good for a .348 average.
- He hit one double and three home runs, drove in nine, and stole two bases.
- His season line stands at .251/.362/.482 with 101 runs, 31 doubles, one triple, 33 homers, 88 RBIs and 20 steals.
- He also owns a 5.3 WAR and a 135 OPS+.
The Cuban-born slugger is now one of only three White Sox hitters to post at least 30 home runs and 20 stolen bases in a season. Magglio Ordonez did it in 2001, and Luis Robert Jr. matched the combination in 2023.
Saturday against Detroit offered a compact version of Vargas’ all-around value. He went deep, stole a base and made a standout play at third base in a win Chicago badly needed.
Cronenworth catches fire as Padres close in
Cronenworth entered the week looking for answers at the plate, carrying a .581 OPS into the stretch run. Then the 32-year-old turned in a seven-game burst that helped the Padres win six times and move to the brink of a playoff berth, with the top NL Wild Card position still within reach.
- Cronenworth finished 13-for-28, batting .464.
- He produced a double, a triple and two homers.
- He scored eight runs, knocked in eight and stole two bases.
- Sunday, he went 3-for-4 with a double, two home runs and five RBIs against Miami.
That Sunday performance helped San Diego complete a three-game home sweep of the Marlins. It also delivered Cronenworth’s first Player of the Week award since June 26, 2021. The Padres have now taken consecutive NL weekly honors after Jackson Merrill won the award on Sept. 14.
O’Hearn turns a bunt into the week’s defensive gem
The week’s top defensive play belonged to Pirates veteran Ryan O’Hearn, an infielder who has started only 35 of his 97 games at first base this season. Still, when a sacrifice bunt sent him ranging well to his right on Saturday, O’Hearn had a move ready.
With his back to first base, the left-handed thrower fielded the ball and, in the same motion, slipped it through his legs with his glove for pitcher Brandon Eisert, who was covering the bag. The unusual feed completed the out and drew a memorable call from Pirates broadcaster Bob Walk.
“For a moment, I thought we were watching the Savannah Bananas,” Walk said.
The play was not a spur-of-the-moment bit of magic. O’Hearn works on the between-the-legs toss before games, knowing a strange hop or bunt can demand it.
“You never know when you might need it during a game,” O’Hearn said.
