PBR Illinois Player of the Week: Dominic Voegele
May 3, 2023
Kansas commit Dominic Voegele is one of the most highly touted arms in the ‘23 class, but he is proving that his bat deserves respect as well. Voegele finished this past week at a 12-for-16 clip with five home runs, four doubles, 13 RBIs and 11 runs scored while helping the Eagles to a perfect 5-0 record as Columbia rises to No. 20 in our Power 25. For his outstanding performance, Voegele has been named this week’s Player of the Week.
Voegele’s week didn’t start out on the high note you may expect, as he finished Monday’s 10-0 win 0-for-2 at the plate. He started to heat up the following day, going a perfect 4-for-4 with two home runs, two RBIs and three runs scored in a 7-2 victory over Salem. He also fired 6.1 innings on the mound with 14 strikeouts to lead the way, scattering three hits, one run and a walk.
In Friday’s 10-7 victory over Breese Central, Voegele finished the day 2-for-2 with a home run, double, five RBIs and three runs scored - with his home run actually being a grand slam to put the Eagles up 7-0 at the time and add some costly insurance which ended up proving to be the difference.
In Saturday's 15-0 win over Clayton (MO), Voegele went 3-for-5 with two doubles, two RBIs and a run scored. He stayed hot in the second game of the day, going a perfect 3-for-3 with two home runs, a double, four RBIs, four runs scored and two walks.
He finished the week with a batting average of .750, an OBP of .882 and slugging % of 2.333. On the season, he is now hitting .537 with nine home runs, two triples, 11 doubles, 30 RBIs and 39 runs scored - also pairing with a 5-0 record on the mound with a 33.1 innings pitched, a .84 ERA, WHIP of .72, and 58 strikeouts to only seven walks.
Currently ranked No 9 in the state, Voegele boasts a fastball up to 94 mph to pair with a well above-average curveball/slider combination, both reaching between 2,400-2,500 RPM. He can also flick in a heavy fading changeup to switch up looks on the hitter. On the other side of the ball, Voegele’s right-handed swing has a simple yet athletic feel to it, pairing with a 6.68 60-time and quality actions on the infield.
(Dominic Voegele 4/15/23)
Scouting Report
Perhaps the event’s most electric pitching performance came from RHP Dominic Voegele (Columbia, 2023), who toed the rubber Wednesday afternoon. Standing at a lean 6-foot-2, 180-pounds with upside, Voegele easily pumped his fastball at 90-91 mph, touching 92 mph with more left in the tank, and commanded it to both corners of the plate. Voegele threw two breaking balls with distinct shapes, too. He tossed a more gradual 75-79 mph breaking ball at 2,600+ RPM, landing it more comfortably for strikes, while turning to a firm low-80s slider as a more swing-and-miss pitch at 2,550+ RPM. Voegele impressed at the plate throughout the event, staying up the middle from a short, quick right-handed stroke. A high level athlete who’s a multi-sport standout at Columbia, Voegele remains a top-end uncommitted prospect in Illinois.