Milwaukee Brewers: Stephen Vogt Will Host A Showcase

Former Milwaukee Brewers catcher Stephen Vogt is still languishing on the free agent market and is looking for a major league job.

Stephen Vogt missed the entire 2018 season for the Milwaukee Brewers with a shoulder injury and went from being a catching platoon partner with Manny Pina to a team mentor/day game lineup taker.

For a catcher coming off a second shoulder surgery who didn’t have much success throwing out baserunners prior to his injury, that’s a career threatening injury, even though Vogt is only 34 years old.

Is There Outside Interest In Vogt?

There are interested teams in Vogt, although it’s not specified which teams those are.

Vogt, when he was in Milwaukee, hit .254 with eight home runs in 2017. He’s always had decent power and was a left handed bat that saw some decent success in Miller Park.

He’s looking for a major league deal, and would be a good bounceback candidate for maybe a lower-tier team or at least a very capable backup on a good team. Vogt brings a lot more to a team than just on-the-field production as his leadership ability and character in the clubhouse are two major positives he has.

Could The Brewers Bring Vogt Back?

Only on a minor league deal, and even then he’d have to split time in Triple-A with prospect Jacob Nottingham, who is still seen as the future at catcher in Milwaukee.

The signing of Yasmani Grandal basically guaranteed Vogt wouldn’t be back in Milwaukee in 2019. Grandal is a switch hitter who has power from the left side and he has a stronger offensive and defensive profile than Vogt.

If Vogt really wants to stay in the Milwaukee Brewers organization, he could sign a minor league deal and help along Nottingham down in Triple-A San Antonio.

Where Could Vogt Go?

A return to Oakland shouldn’t be ruled out for Vogt. The fans and the clubhouse loved him over there and the only reason he was put on waivers was because he went through a slump at the plate.

Currently, Oakland has Josh Phegley pegged as their starting catcher, and he hit .204 with a .599 OPS last year. Considering how Oakland won 97 games last year, they’re going to want more offensive production out of that position. While Vogt isn’t a guarantee to return to form, it’s a familiar place where he’s had success and everyone there loves him.

Hopefully things go well for Vogt at his workout. He’s one of those guys you just can’t help but root for and he deserves another shot in the big leagues.

The Milwaukee Brewers appear pretty set at the catcher position and stand to see Vogt leave for another team in free agency.