Chicago Cubs: Top 30 Prospects- No. 20 to No. 11
By Ryan Tadych
![Mar 9, 2015; Mesa, AZ, USA; A general view of the game between the Chicago Cubs and the San Diego Padres in the fourth inning during a spring training baseball game at Sloan Park. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports Mar 9, 2015; Mesa, AZ, USA; A general view of the game between the Chicago Cubs and the San Diego Padres in the fourth inning during a spring training baseball game at Sloan Park. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fcubbiescrib-com-2Ffiles-2F2016-2F01-2Fmlb-san-diego-padres-chicago-cubs-590x900-5c8899a8bde98f80cb4ef1aa1bc136cd.jpg)
#13 Dan Vogelbach (1B)
2015 Stats (Tennessee Smokies)
.272/.403/.425, 7 HR, 39 RBI, 57 BB, 76 G, 16 2B
Vogelbach was drafted by the Cubs in the 2nd round of the 2011 draft. He made a name for himself in the 2010 high school home run derby, clubbing a 508-foot blast. That power earned him a $1.6 million bonus when he signed and it translated into a .481 slugging percentage in his first four seasons as a pro.
Vogelbach is built on power, but he also controls the strike zone, makes consistent contact and uses the entire field. At just-23 years-old, he hasn’t fully developed his power but did hit double digits in home runs in lower levels of the minors.
He spent 2015 with the Double-A Smokies, where he batted .279 with seven HR and 39 RBIs. The most impressive stat though is his 57 walks (compared to 61 strikeouts) in 254 at-bats. That contributed to a .403 on-base percentage.
Despite not having hit the Triple-A team yet, many believe the Vogelbach’s bat is ready.
However, his limited range and slow speed make his defense questionable. Many believe that he is better suited as a DH and All-Star Anthony Rizzo is blocking him at first base. While he could crack the big leagues this year if the Cubs need a bat, he might be used as trade bait with an AL team at the deadline.