From the time he was a freshman in high school, great expectations have been bestowed on him.
When you are selected to represent Team USA and you’re named to the All-Tournament team as a 15-year old, you raise the bar for expectations.
The 2013 graduate of Patchogue-Medford raised those expectations more when he was selected by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 2013 MLB Draft. He went on to honor his commitment to the University of South Carolina to play for the Game Cocks after they had won consecutive National Championships.
Despite throwing only 38 innings in three years, Vogel showed enough to warrant the Tampa Bay Rays drafting him in the 25th round and assigning him to their Gulf Coast League affiliate.
Now 21-years-old and on the path that was seemingly destined for him from a young age, Vogel is determined to show his best is still ahead of him and he can continue in the growing list of Long Islander’s that have risen through the ranks and made it to the show.
His mid 90s heater speaks for itself, but I had a chance to speak with him, and here’s what he had to say…
Talk briefly about your experience leading up to the MLB Draft and how satisfying it was to hear your name. Also, was it a tough decision to sign versus returning back to SC?
I remember as if it was yesterday. I was sitting on the bench at SC right before our super regional game and we were allowed to have our phones on us just in case we would get that call. I received that phone call right before first pitch and that will be my greatest baseball memory for as long as I live. Getting that phone call is everyone’s dream. After all the hard work and sacrifices you make to get to that point, there is no better feeling. Even though I only threw 38 innings in three years at SC it became home to me. I grew to love my teammates and my coaches as they helped me make my final decision to sign and move on with my baseball career. I owe them a lot for not only making me the baseball player I am today but more importantly the person I am today. I am humbled and thankful to have gotten the opportunity to play at such a great university.
You had a very successful first season in pro ball. Who are some coaches or players that eased you into your role and helped you feel more comfortable?
It was honestly quite an easy transition for me because one of my good buddies Nick Ciuffo who was a 1st rounder out of high school that I got the privilege to play summer ball with while we were still in high school guided me through the process of being a Professional baseball player. He was committed to SC as well until Tampa Bay had drafted him in 2013.
What is your primarily goal for this off season?
My goal for the off season is the same as it is in season, get better everyday. Work on my flaws and work on the things I need to do to separate myself from everyone else. Another goal is to spend time with my family and friends as I have not gotten the chance to see them as much as I would have liked while I was away at school and playing in my first professional season.
Mike Trout photographed for BodyArmor sports drink by Monte Isom
What are your goals for 2017?
My goals for the 2017 season are simple. Make an impact on whatever club I am sent to after spring training. I want to be able to help the Tampa Bay Rays organization win for as long as possible.
Talk about a little about the role that your time at Pat-Med HS played in your baseball career and especially with the well-respected Anthony Frascogna.
PMHS helped evolve me into the ball player that I am today. I can’t thank Anthony Frascogna enough for everything he has done for me along my journey. He has supported me through the ups and downs. I also want to thank him for putting up with me the 4 years I played for him because I know how much of a pain I was.
Follow the author on Twitter @BaseballLI or email @baseballontheislandgmail-com
