NEWSLETTER
When the Chicago Cubs drafted Dan Vogelbach in the second round of the 2011 draft, the first baseman’s power was as legendary as his size. Which is to say, folks were always looking for charitable ways to say he was overweight.
Coming into last season, we heard bits and pieces about Vogelbach getting into better shape and losing some weight, and, indeed, he did look to be a little more fit in 2013. But he was still a big dude, listed in the 250lbs range and 6’0″, each of which was probably fudged a bit.
Then we heard that he came into camp this year having dropped another 30 pounds, and that fans were asking each other, “Who’s that guy?”, without realize it was Vogelbach. I’ll confess I was skeptical that the change could be that dramatic, but man-oh-man, you’ve gotta see the picture Gordon Wittenmyer just tweeted out:
The newer slimmed-down Vogelbomb pic.twitter.com/vgQsxdqd8e
— Gordon Wittenmyer (@GDubCub) February 25, 2014
For reference, check out this baseball card from shortly after Vogelbach signed with the Cubs. Heck, look at this picture from last Spring Training. Wittenmyer has more on Vogelbach’s transformation, including more pictures, here.
That doesn’t even look like the same guy. If Vogelbach can keep his power and his excellent approach at the plate, then the added athleticism his new-found size should afford him could improve his game all around.
