In June of 2011, an 18 year kid named Daniel Vogelbach was selected by the Chicago Cubs in the second round of the MLB amateur draft. The high school first baseman was listed as 5’11” 285. However, in the pics we saw of him, he looked pretty close to three bills. But we thought hey, Daniel Vogelbach can hit a ton.
The Cubs claimed right after the draft that he dropped 40 pounds off what he was listed on the scouting report I quoted. Vogelbach throws right and bats left. In the video after the jump you’ll see that he has slimmed down to 240ish.
Daniel Vogelbach hit a 508 foot home run at Chase Field in the December power showcase. And he hit an eye popping 17 HRs, 50 RBI in just 32 high school games his final season. Daniel Vogelbach won a lot of awards, and obviously the scouts were very high on him, since he ended up being a second round pick despite the red flag of childhood obesity. He was named by Baseball America as the third-best power hitter among all high school eligible players in the draft.
From the Cubs website:
Daniel Vogelbach, ranked No. 14 among the Cubs’ top prospects, isn’t looking for press clippings, just at-bats. This year, he was kept in extended spring camp then assigned to the Cubs’ Rookie League team in June where he batted .324 with seven home runs, 12 doubles, two triples and 31 RBIs in 24 games. He joined Class A Boise in late July and batted .322 with nine doubles, one triple, 10 home runs and 31 RBIs in 37 games. He posted a .608 slugging percentage and 1.031 OPS at Boise.
In the video below (watch the f-bomb!), you can see that he looks much better. Kudos to him! (editor’s note: this is an update/revision of an original post at the time of the draft. That’s why you seem some harsh comments below. And I was probably too harsh back then. And for that I apologize.)
So Daniel Vogelbach is tearing up the low minors, destroying A ball.
And for someone drafted right out of high school like he was, expect him to join the Cubs in late 2014, early 2015? Maybe?
Paul M. Banks is CEO of The Sports Bank.net, a Google News site generating millions of visitors. He also contributes regularly to MSN, Fox Sports , Chicago Now, Walter Football.com and Yardbarker
A Fulbright scholar, author and MBA, Banks has appeared on the History Channel, as well as Clear Channel, ESPN and CBS radio all over the world. President Barack Obama follows him on Twitter (@Paul_M_BanksTSB)