Dan Vogelbach had a huge game for the Iowa Cubs in the 8-4 win over the Nashville Sounds. Vogelbach had three hits in five plate appearances and drove in five runs, four with one crack of the bat.
Vogelbach hit the biggest of Vogelbombs on the young season, an opposite field Grand Slam in the sixth inning that turned a 1-0 deficit into a 4-1 lead for the I-Cubs.
Albert Almora Jr. (1-for-5 with a run scored), Willson Contreras (0-for-0 with four walks, a HBP and two runs scored) and Taylor Davis (0-for-4 with a walk and a run scored) were along for the ride.
Vogelbach has produced really good numbers at the plate this season.
In 23 games, Dan Vogelbach has hit .354/.446/.465 for a .977 OPS. Vogelbach is 28-for-59 with eight extra basehits (five doubles and three home runs) and 12 walks with 27 strikeouts.
Vogelbach enters play Thursday ranked fifth in the Pacific Coast League in batting average (.354), sixth in on-base percentage (.446), one spot behind Willson Contreras, 16th in slugging (.532) and seventh in OPS (.977).
Vogelbach spent the spring in big league camp with the Cubs for the first time. Vogelbach said he learned a lot defensively from working with and alongside Anthony Rizzo.
Vogelbach was limited to 76 games for Double-A Tennessee last season due to injuries. Vogelbach produced a .272/.403/.425 slash line with 16 doubles, a triple and seven home runs for a .828 OPS after a hot start hitting in the same lineup with Kyle Schwarber.
Dan Vogelbach can hit and has a really good approach at the plate. Vogelbach’s power numbers have not matched expectations yet. Vogelbach is only 23 years old and is off to a good start this season. Vogelbach should be able to produce in the hitter friendly PCL, especially if he stays healthy this year.
• Dan Vogelbach’s Page on Baseball-Reference