The Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB) have brought back righty pitcher Matt Vogel for the upcoming 2023 season, today the team announced via Twitter.
Vogel begins his third season with the Ducks and seventh in professional baseball.
The Patchogue-Medford High School alum said that he cannot wait to play in front of his family and home crowds, giving him a special home field feeling while harken him back to days of his memorable youth.
“It’s great to be back home,” Vogel said on LIDucks.com. “The fact that my family is able to come see me play more often makes this season that much more special for me. I remember when I would come to Ducks games as a kid, and now that I am able to put that uniform on is a great feeling. Every home game is a literal ‘home game’ for me.”
The 27-year-old spent most of the 2022 season with the Norfolk Tides, the Triple-A affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles. He made 27 appearances, striking out 38 batters while walking 14 across 28 innings of work.
Vogel first joined the Ducks late in the 2021 season. He appeared in four games, allowing just two hits and two walks while striking out 11 batters over five scoreless innings. He returned to Long Island late in 2022 as well, making one appearance for the club.
Vogel began his professional career with two campaigns in the Tampa Bay Rays organization, who selected him in the 25th round of the 2016 amateur draft.
He pitched in 61 games, recording two saves and striking out 113 batters over 92 innings pitched.
After taking part in the Ducks Open Player Tryout prior to the 2018 season, he signed with the York Revolution and made one start for the team.
The Syosset native went on to spend three seasons (2018-19, ‘21) with the New Jersey Jackals. He combined to post a 3.89 ERA in 55 games (10 starts), picking up one save and striking out 145 batters over 106.1 innings of work.
Moreover, Vogel said that performing well and winning as a team are the most important things to him.
“My goals remain the same each and every year, no matter where I’m playing, and that is to pitch my best and win baseball games,” Vogel added. “Nothing would be sweeter than bringing another championship back to Long Island.”
— Jerry Del Priore
Brooklyn Sports World/NY NJ Sports World 