Prospectus Preview: Down the Pipeline, Dan Vogelbach

Other Prospectus Previews:

In a farm system that has received much praise over the last few weeks for its steady improvements, there’s nobody in the Cubs’ minor league system that has the power of Dan Vogelbach.

The 2011 second-round pick got 61 games under his belt in 2012, and had a successful first full season. In 24 games with the rookie ball team, Vogelbach hit .324/.391/.686 (AVG/OBP/SLG), belting seven home runs and recording 12 doubles.

Then the slugging first baseman jumped onto the Short-Season Boise squad midway through the campaign, where he managed to maintain the similar numbers despite facing better pitching. Hitting .322/.423/.608 with 10 home runs and driving in 31 in 37 games, Vogelbach took the league by storm, aiding the Hawks to the championship series.

Vogelbach is just one of more than 60 players covered in Vine Line’s annual Minor League Prospectus. The issue is on newsstands now, with single issues available by calling 800-618-8377. It’s an exhaustive rundown, perfect for Spring Training and beyond.

1B | Dan Vogelbach
Ht./Wt.: 6-0/250
B/T: L/R
Born: 12/17/92 in North Fort Myers, Fla.
Acquired: 2011 Draft (2)
Tools: Hit for Average, Power
2012 STATS (Rookie): .324/.391/.686 (Short-Season): .322/.423/.608

Vogelbach is a bat-only prospect, but what a stick it is. He has elite, 80 raw power and incredibly fast hands. He bashed a home run every 14 at-bats for Boise, showing the light-tower reach that made him a second-round pick in 2011. Perhaps most impressive is his surprisingly short stroke considering his ability to mash. He hits to all fields with power, and he controls the strike zone well. His makeup and personality are top-notch too. On the other hand, his defense and body have always been a struggle, and Vogelbach knows he has to work hard on both.

Other players featured in this section: Catcher Wilson Contreras; Infielders Arismendy Alcantara, Gioskar Amaya, Javier Baez, Jeimer Candelario and Marco Hernandez; Outfielder Trey Martin; and Pitchers Lendy Castillo, Dillon Maples and Ben Wells.

Plus, tidbits on IF Ronald Torreyes, RHP Jose Rosario, RHP Austin Reed, IF Carlos Penalver, RHP Tayler Scott, RHP Michael Jensen, OF Jeffrey Baez, OF Pin-Chieh Chen and IF Zeke DeVoss.