Vogelbach's Weight

[ctcf]

While it's now becoming more and more clear that his power and hitting abilities are legit, his weight and general overall shape is obviously still a problem. How hard would it be for the Cubs to essentially make him get more in shape? Do they have any ability to essentially tell him "go drop the damn pounds" or do they just lack the actual leverage to do that? Could they force him to go work out all winter?

[WrigleyField 22]

His weight is only an issue if he stops hitting.

 

 

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[Clem Fandango]

If he becomes just an outrageously good bat in the minors, we have no place to play him and he is essentially trade fodder, presuming Rizzo is still doing great, which is fine. It's a nice problem to have.

 

If he can drop the weight, he could feasibly become a bit more athletic enough to be able to play LF or maybe even 3B if desired, I'd imagine. Honestly for a guy his size and at his age it won't take much for him to drop the pounds. And if I was told by the organization that drafted me and employs me and gave me a nice signing bonus that they want me to drop the weight, I drop the damn weight.

 

The question is whether or not losing the weight will affect his game. It could throw his swing timing off, maybe even affect his power. Not sure how much weight you want to put into it (no pun intended), but the Prince Fielder vegetarian/dropping weight thing springs to mind when discussing Vogelbach and his weight issues.

[ctcf]

Yeah, to clarify my hope was that in dropping weight he could feasibly field somewhere.

[WrigleyField 22]

NL will have a DH soon enough. Can't make a man something he's not.

 

 

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[TruffleShuffle]

While it's now becoming more and more clear that his power and hitting abilities are legit, his weight and general overall shape is obviously still a problem. How hard would it be for the Cubs to essentially make him get more in shape? Do they have any ability to essentially tell him "go drop the damn pounds" or do they just lack the actual leverage to do that? Could they force him to go work out all winter?

 

you don't draft a guy who looks like a whale when he's 17 years old and hope that he suddenly drops 50 lbs. most players get thicker, not thinner, as they get older. by most accounts, he's actually in better shape than he was during high school. he's always going to be fat or at least chubby, so you can pretty much assume that he's going to be a minus baserunner and first baseman. the hope is that he turns into a 30+ hr, high OBP guy and that overcomes his deficiencies in the field and on the basepaths.

[Warpticon]

I don't think it's unreasonable he could get down to, say, 220 in 3 or 4 years.

[jersey cubs fan]

His weight is only an issue if he stops hitting.

 

That is not true at all. If he's too fat to play first base (or move on the basepaths) he limits his value.

[jersey cubs fan]

While it's now becoming more and more clear that his power and hitting abilities are legit, his weight and general overall shape is obviously still a problem. How hard would it be for the Cubs to essentially make him get more in shape? Do they have any ability to essentially tell him "go drop the damn pounds" or do they just lack the actual leverage to do that? Could they force him to go work out all winter?

 

you don't draft a guy who looks like a whale when he's 17 years old and hope that he suddenly drops 50 lbs. most players get thicker, not thinner, as they get older. by most accounts, he's actually in better shape than he was during high school. he's always going to be fat or at least chubby, so you can pretty much assume that he's going to be a minus baserunner and first baseman. the hope is that he turns into a 30+ hr, high OBP guy and that overcomes his deficiencies in the field and on the basepaths.

 

I've seen plenty of instances where fatty 17/18/19 year olds get into much better shape in their 20's. It's not that hard to do.

 

As for their leverage, they decide if/when he gets a promotion and if/when he gets called up to the majors. They have plenty of leverage to try and force him into better shape.

[Fro]

It's pretty ridiclous how far behind baseball is compared to football or basketball.

 

All our minor league teams ought to have a nutritionist and 2-3 strength/fitness trainers on staff (paid for by Cubs money) and it ought to be a directive from upper management across the entire system that our guys are in the best possible shape and eat healthy. Mandatory strength & conditioning and at least one meal a day from a training table like it's a college program.

[pitchcs]

Yeah and Babe Ruth should have lost weight too. Yup, Vogelbach --> Ruth comparison.

[Named After Maddux]

Yeah and Babe Ruth should have lost weight too. Yup, Vogelbach --> Ruth comparison.

 

Probably should tweet that to KG

[23sharks]

It's pretty ridiclous how far behind baseball is compared to football or basketball.

 

All our minor league teams ought to have a nutritionist and 2-3 strength/fitness trainers on staff (paid for by Cubs money) and it ought to be a directive from upper management across the entire system that our guys are in the best possible shape and eat healthy. Mandatory strength & conditioning and at least one meal a day from a training table like it's a college program.

 

Like John Kruk said: I'm not an athlete, I'm a baseball player....

That's changed, and there is definitely more focus on fitness/nutrition now.

He's still young, and he can certainly improve in this area. I'm sure the team will address this, if they haven't already.

[BleacherBadger]

It's pretty ridiclous how far behind baseball is compared to football or basketball.

 

All our minor league teams ought to have a nutritionist and 2-3 strength/fitness trainers on staff (paid for by Cubs money) and it ought to be a directive from upper management across the entire system that our guys are in the best possible shape and eat healthy. Mandatory strength & conditioning and at least one meal a day from a training table like it's a college program.

 

Football and Basketball also don't have 8 developmental teams below their professional team. Financially speaking.

[Elrhino]

When I saw some recent footage of him I was struck how broad framed his back and backside is. There's no V shape, just an H shape. Dude is just genetically built like a rectangle. I don't think he's carrying just a ton of bellyfat to be melted off. He could obviously stand to lose a few lbs, but I think what you see is basically what you get. Sometimes God/nature makes natural fullbacks.

 

http://cdn.bleacherreport.net/images_root/slides/photos/002/477/220/1cjyXV.AuSt.36_display_image.jpeg?1344531522

[TheClash]

http://detroitsportsnation.com/theroar/wp-content/blogs.dir/5/files/HLIC/ec5fa12b84241c58dd93ac5c515bfbf3.jpg

[Sammy Sofa]

Yes, that's a big guy who has to play 1B and will have to hit as a DH sooner rather than later to maintain his value.

[Warpticon]

According to BA, he's already lost 30 lbs since high school.

[Splendid Splinter]

When I saw some recent footage of him I was struck how broad framed his back and backside is. There's no V shape, just an H shape. Dude is just genetically built like a rectangle. I don't think he's carrying just a ton of bellyfat to be melted off. He could obviously stand to lose a few lbs, but I think what you see is basically what you get. Sometimes God/nature makes natural fullbacks.

 

http://cdn.bleacherreport.net/images_root/slides/photos/002/477/220/1cjyXV.AuSt.36_display_image.jpeg?1344531522

 

 

Yeah He's built like me. In the past 10 years, I've weighed from 195 (high school) to 285 (3 years ago) and now I'm 230. And all this time, I have wore 1 pant/short size and that's a 42. I'm just a shade under 6'3". Some are just naturally built wider and bigger. I have wide shoulders as I've wore a XL or XXL in shirts in that time.

 

Does anybody know what Vogelbach weigh now? I know he lost 30 lbs since high school, but I'm curious as to where he's at now.

[Tyrant]

How athletic is Vogelbach? I know a lot of people talk about how Prince Fielder is fat, but pretty quick on his feet (for a fat guy). Does Vogelbach have any of that or is he just a really big dude?

[Guest]

How athletic is Vogelbach? I know a lot of people talk about how Prince Fielder is fat, but pretty quick on his feet (for a fat guy). Does Vogelbach have any of that or is he just a really big dude?

He's surprisingly athletic for his size, which is one of the many reasons he's compared to Prince. He's definitely not as athletic as Prince, though.

[USSoccer]

Doesn't he have a bunch of steals?

 

I think his athleticism is underrated, but I also think he'll never, ever be able to play anywhere other than 1B or DH.

[Guest]

Doesn't he have a bunch of steals?

 

I think his athleticism is underrated, but I also think he'll never, ever be able to play anywhere other than 1B or DH.

Agreed. Nor do I think Rizzo can either (especially when you're projecting out 3-4 years in advance).

 

I don't see these guys on the same team unless the NL adopts the DH.

[Cubswin11]

Doesn't he have a bunch of steals?

 

I think his athleticism is underrated, but I also think he'll never, ever be able to play anywhere other than 1B or DH.

Agreed. Nor do I think Rizzo can either (especially when you're projecting out 3-4 years in advance).

 

I don't see these guys on the same team unless the NL adopts the DH.

Have there even been rumors of this happening?

[SouthSideRyan]

Doesn't he have a bunch of steals?

 

I think his athleticism is underrated, but I also think he'll never, ever be able to play anywhere other than 1B or DH.

Agreed. Nor do I think Rizzo can either (especially when you're projecting out 3-4 years in advance).

 

I don't see these guys on the same team unless the NL adopts the DH.

Have there even been rumors of this happening?

 

Only in Mojo's sick and twisted brain.