Vogelbach Tabbed Chicago Cubs' Minor League Player of the Month
May 4, 2015 - Southern League (SL1)
Knoxville Smokies News Release
Tennessee Smokies First Baseman Dan Vogelbach
(Knoxville Smokies, Credit: Roger C. Hoover)
KODAK - The Chicago Cubs announced today that Tennessee Smokies first baseman Dan Vogelbach has been honored as the organization's Minor League Player of the Month for the month of April.
The 22-year-old Vogelbach made a great first impression in his first month at the Double-A level with Tennessee, posting a .362 average (25-69), adding 11 runs scored, seven doubles, three homers, 13 RBI and 14 walks, in addition to a .470 on-base percentage and .594 slugging percentage in 19 April contests. The infielder reached base in all but two of those games, including each of his first 15 matchups of 2015.
Among all Cubs farmhands, the left-handed slugger last month ranked first in total bases (41), as well as tied for first in hits, walks and extra-base hits (ten), second in batting average, doubles, on-base percentage, slugging percentage and OPS (1.064), and tied for second in homers and RBI. The Florida native was also recognized by the Southern League as the circuit's Player of the Week in each of the first two periods for the award for his outstanding start.
A second round selection by the Cubs in the 2011 MLB Draft out of Bishop Verot High School (FL), Vogelbach comes into today's action sporting a .378 batting average (31-82) in 22 games with the Smokies, adding 12 runs, eight doubles, one triple, three homers and 14 RBI. The first baseman ranks among the Southern League's best offensively, pacing the circuit in total bases (50) and extra-base hits (11), in addition to tied for first in hits (31), second in batting average, on-base percentage (.474) and slugging percentage (.610), as well as tied for second in doubles (eight) and walks (15).
Vogelbach becomes the first Smokies player to be recognized as the Cubs' Minor League Player of the Month since 2014 outfielder Jorge Soler in July 2014. Third baseman Kris Bryant was also tabbed the organization's Minor League Player of the Month for May 2014. Both Soler and Bryant are now staples in the Chicago Cubs' starting lineup.
Tennessee is currently facing off against the Birmingham Barons, the Double-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox, at Regions Field in Birmingham in the series finale of their five-game set. Following this afternoon's contest, the Smokies will travel east to start a six-game series with the Pensacola Blue Wahoos, the Double-A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds. First pitch of the series opener on Tuesday evening is slated for 7:35 p.m. ET. Tennessee is expected to give the nod to LHP Jeffry Antigua (0-0, 2.53), while Pensacola is anticipated to send RHP Keyvius Sampson (0-0, 2.25) to the hill.
The Smokies' next home contest will take place on Monday, May 11, when they will open a five-game homestand with the Montgomery Biscuits, the Double-A affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays. First pitch for the series opener is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. ET in Kodak.
Tickets for that game, as well as the remaining home contests at Smokies Stadium, are on sale and can be purchased online at smokiesbaseball.com, or by calling the Smokies Ticket Office at 865-286-2300.
Images from this story
 Tennessee Smokies First Baseman Dan Vogelbach (Roger C. Hoover) |
Southern League Stories from May 4, 2015
- Suns Lose Heartbreaker to Lookouts 2-0 - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- Barons Walk-Off, Take Tennessee Series 3-2 - Birmingham Barons
- Shuckers Jump Back into First Place with Comeback Win over BayBears - Biloxi Shuckers
- BayBears Fall to Biloxi in Series Finale 4-3 - Mobile BayBears
- Blue Wahoos Homestand Highlights May 5th-9th - Pensacola Blue Wahoos
- Jackson Generals Take Five-Game Series, 3-2, from Pensacola Blue Wahoos - Pensacola Blue Wahoos
- Blash, Lara Boost Generals in 15-4 Triumph - Jackson Generals
- Vogelbach Tabbed Chicago Cubs' Minor League Player of the Month - Knoxville Smokies
- M-Braves Take Series Finale 3-2 - Mississippi Braves
- Robertson Homer Not Enough, Biscuits Drop Finale - Montgomery Biscuits
- Blue Wahoos Team up with Guy Harvey - Pensacola Blue Wahoos
- Southern League Names Pitcher and Player of the Week for April 27-May 3rd - SL1
- Strong Reinstated from 7-Day Disabled List - Biloxi Shuckers
- Logan to Disabled List, McCarthy to Jacksonville - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- Smith Activated from Disabled List - Jackson Generals
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
