Vogelbach Named SL Player of the Week
The Southern League announced today that Tennessee Smokies infielder Dan Vogelbach has been named the circuit's Player of the Week for the time period between April 9-19.
The 22-year-old through the first nine games of the season posted a .484 batting average (15-31), adding three runs, four doubles and three RBI, in addition to seven walks and a .579 on-base percentage. The left-handed slugger in that time span ranked second among all Minor Leaguers in on-base percentage, in addition to third in batting average. The Florida native also not only paces the Southern League in those two categories, but also leads the circuit coming into play today in hits (15), as well as tied for second in doubles (four), tied for third in totals bases (19) and fourth in slugging percentage (.613).
Vogelbach has reached base in all nine contests he has participated in thus far in 2015, and began this season on an eight-game hit streak. The lefty also recorded five consecutive multi-hit games between April 12-17, totaling hits in 12 of his 17 at bats in that period, while also reaching base via a hit or walk in 16 of 21 plate appearances.
The infielder was selected by the Cubs in the second round of the 2011 MLB Draft out of Bishop Verot High School in Florida, and was rated the eighth-best first base prospect by MLB.com prior to this season. Baseball America also thinks highly of the 23-year-old, rating him as the ninth-best prospect in the Chicago Cubs organization before this season.
Vogelbach is the first Smokies player to win a weekly honor from the circuit this season, after five different players were tabbed either the league's top hitter or pitcher of the week in 2014. Current Chicago Cubs INF Kris Bryant and OF Jorge Soler, each earned those honors last season, with the former winning Hitter of the Week on three occasions, while Soler won once. Current Smokies hurler Corey Black was named the circuit's top hurler between April 21-28 last season.
Following Sunday's postponement, the Smokies will now begin a five-game road trip against the Jackson Generals, the Double-A affiliate of the Seattle Mariners, in Jackson, Tennessee. First pitch this evening from The Ballpark in Jackson is set for 8:05 p.m. ET, with RHP Frank Batista (1-0, 1.50) set to start for Tennessee, while Jackson is slated to send LHP Misael Siverio (0-0, 0.00).
The Smokies' next home contest will take place on Saturday, April 25, when they will open a five-game homestand with the Chattanooga Lookouts, the Double-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins. 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. Multi-game voucher packs and season tickets are also still available for purchase.
ABOUT THE TENNESSEE SMOKIES
The Tennessee Smokies are the Double-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. Members of the ten-team Southern League, Smokies baseball has been entertaining families and fans of America's national pastime in the East Tennessee region for over 100 years. To learn more about the Tennessee Smokies, visit www.smokiesbaseball.com.