Twins rookie first baseman-designated hitter Kennys Vargas’ first month in the majors has him in some elite company.

Since his debut Aug. 1, the burly slugger racked up 38 hits and drove in 24 runs through Aug. 31. Only one other player has done better in his first month in the majors: Yankees center fielder Joe DiMaggio, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

DiMaggio had 48 hits and 28 RBIs as a rookie in May 1936. He went on to win three MVP Awards and hit 361 home runs in a 13-year career. His 56-game hitting streak still stands as a major league record.

“That’s big name to be sticking (Vargas’) by,” Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. “We’ve been hearing a lot of these numbers, too, so it’s pretty impressive.”

“Joltin’ Joe,” however, showed separation from Vargas with on-base-plus-slugging percentage. DiMaggio was at 1.059 after his first month, with Vargas at .799.

In Baltimore, Vargas had four hits in three games to close August and added two more Monday to start September. He hit a towering, two-run home run to right field in his first at-bat Tuesday in the Twins’ series opener against the White Sox.

“He’s a strong young man, and he’s hanging in there and doing very, very well,” Gardenhire said. “He’s facing good pitching on a big stage and he hasn’t been overwhelmed by any of it.”

Vargas, 24, was batting .317 with four home runs heading into Tuesday’s game.

BRIEFLY

The Twins will honor Chicago White Sox first baseman/DH Paul Konerko before Wednesday’s game. The retiring slugger has 50 home runs against Minnesota, more than any other team.

Follow Andy Greder at twitter.com/andygreder.