Minor League Prospect Note: Dan Vogelbach, 1B, Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs first base prospect Dan Vogelbach hit two homers last night for short-season Boise in the Northwest League, capping a remarkable run over his last six games. He's 10-for-25 (.400) with seven homers and 14 RBI in this stretch, giving him a .381/.443/.841 mark in 16 games for Boise, with seven walks and 15 strikeouts. He'd previously hit .324/.391/.686 with seven homers in 24 games for the Arizona Rookie League Cubs, giving him a complete line this summer of .345/.411/.745 with 15 homers, 17 doubles, 19 walks, and 29 strikeouts in 165 at-bats.
Vogelbach was a second round pick in 2011 out of high school in Fort Myers, Florida. Some scouts felt he had the most raw power in the prep class, but his 6-0, 250 pound body was a hindrance to his draft status. So far it hasn't been a hindrance to his pro success.
Vogelbach isn't just a slugger: he's a legitimately complete hitter. He has good pure hitting skills, including repeatable swing mechanics that provide easy power, plus a good eye for the strike zone. His maximal projection would be something like Prince Fielder.
The video linked above is a couple of years old. Vogelbach has lost some weight since then, but the swing/power/approach remain the same.
I like him a lot. I had him rated a Grade B- pre-season and would make that a Grade B at this point, with higher grades possible as he moves forward.
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