Slimmer Daniel Vogelbach set for heightened expectations in Mets first full season

Daniel Vogelbach arrived at Mets spring training, ahead of his first full season with the ball club, and appears to be sporting a slimmed down frame.

Vogelbach — the 6-foot designated hitter, who weighed 270 pounds a season ago — isn’t sure how much weight he’s lost this offseason because he wasn’t keeping up with him, but he offered his best guess at around 20- 25 lbs.

The secret to his weight loss won’t be shared other than ‘watching what I eat’ and ‘exercise and do my routine,’ he said during spring training, via the New York Post.

“I wasn’t really focused on one thing in particular,” he said. “I just arrived and made sure I was fit and ready to play from day one.”

Vogelbach added that he feels good and is ready for a season with increased focus on the Mets.

“I’m ready for a season, a little different coming into a clubhouse this year where everyone’s expectations are high, and I’m just trying to make sure I’m ready to do my part to contribute. “, did he declare.

And after a 101-win season and a massive spending spree this offseason, the expectations and the pressure are pretty high. And many Mets will be looking to shake off the bitter taste of an early playoff exit, including Vogelbach who went hitless with a walk and a sacrificed fly eight times.

This offseason, the Mets picked up Vogelbach’s $1.5 million option after acquiring him in a July trade to the Pittsburgh Pirates for a pitcher. Colin Holderman. He will be looking to compete for a spot as a left-handed DH option for by Buck Showalter clubs in 2023.

Last season, Vogelbach was better for the Mets at home plate (.255/.393/.436 with .830 OPS and 139 OPS+) in 55 games last year than he was for the Pirates (.228/.338/. 430 with a .769 OPS and 116 OPS+) in 75 games. But he hit fewer homers (6 to 12) and beat fewer runners (25 to 34) in New York.

And part of being part of Vogelbach could mean some time on the pitch. Of course, while he didn’t make an appearance on defense last season in New York and no one expects him to see regular time there, Vogelbach has played over 1,000 innings in the first goal in his big league career and took first grounders on Monday. .

“I’ve played there quite a bit in the major leagues and whatever they ask me to do, I just don’t want to be blindsided by anything,” he said. “Just make sure I prepare in every way I can.”