The Dodgers #22 prospect is Jake Vogel, Rancho Cucamonga Quakes Center Fielder. Vogel stands 5’11 weighing 165 pounds as a 19-year-old. He was drafted in the 3rd round of the 2020 MLB Draft out of high school even though he had a strong commitment to UCLA. Jake Vogel was one of the more athletic players in the draft but dropped on the team’s draft boards due to being lightest prospect. Current Quakes Center Fielder is struggling at the plate hitting .235 with 2 HRs and 16 RBIs in his 153 at-bats.
Jake Vogel has a very simple swing that is built for contact. Quick hands help with his ability to hit the ball all over the field. Due to his stature, he doesn’t have much power and he probably never will. As one of the fastest players in the Dodgers Farm System, he goes from being an average athletic outfielder to an above-average outfielder. Jake Vogel can field the ball almost anywhere in the outfield because he is so fast. Vogel has a quick first step and hits his top speed quickly. While it’s clear that Vogel’s best weapon is his speed, his second-best weapon is his arm. In the Perfect Game Showcase, he threw the ball from centerfield to home, and it was clocked at 95 MPH. He reminds me of another former Dodger, Tim Locastro. Tim doesn’t have any power but is the fastest player in baseball and steals bases like no other. That’s where Tim and Jake differ. Jake Vogel doesn’t steal many bases. He uses his speed for getting extra-base hits and infield singles. It would be nice to see Vogel incorporate more base stealing in his game.
Vogel is projected to arrive with the Dodgers MLB club in 2024. His major league promotion is going to depend on how well his hitting skills develop. Jake Vogel can already be an elite defender for the Dodgers now, but his poor hitting skills hold him back. I don’t think his power is ever going to show up but if he can become a consistent contact hitter, he will be a solid MLB player in 2024 and a great addition to the club.