Oakland A’s Crystal Ball: Should You Still Believe In Stephen Vogt?

Join us every Thursday for our “Crystal Ball” predictions here on White Cleat Beat. Today we look at Stephen Vogt and his struggles at the plate this season. Is it the beginning of the end for Vogt, or should we still believe in Vogt?

The A’s witnessed the emergence of Stephen Vogt in the 2013 ALDS against the Tigers. His walk-off single in the bottom of the 9th inning of Game Two was pure magic.

Since then, Vogt has become a fan favorite at the Coliseum. Chants of “We Believe In Stephen Vogt,” can be heard throughout the cavernous home of the A’s whenever Vogt steps up to the plate.

Vogt has made two All-Star Game appearances (’15 & ’16) and has provided veteran leadership in a clubhouse that has struggled to find chemistry. Vogt’s leadership is a quality that has helped make him one of the true ambassadors for the franchise.

This season, however, Vogt has struggled to find any consistency at the plate. His bat has totally disappeared on him and the A’s have even opted to plug in Josh Phegley late in games for defensive purposes.

In 34 games this year, Vogt hasn’t posted great numbers.

According to FanGraphs, Vogt is also swinging at more pitches outside of the strike zone. At this point in the season, Vogt is swinging at roughly 33.5% of pitches outside the zone.

At 32 years of age, Vogt may very well be past him prime.

After starting the 2015 season insanely hot, Vogt’s numbers have been on a gradual decline. His miserable second half in ’15 carried over into last season and his numbers this year have been subpar.

Can we still believe in Stephen Vogt?

The A’s knew heading into this year that Vogt was likely not going to start behind the plate every night. The team had extra depth with Josh Phegley and Bruce Maxwell providing time behind the plate.

Vogt has made 29 appearances behind the plate this year to go along with five appearances as the team’s designated hitter. Oh and he’s been called upon as a pinch-hitter twice this year as well.

Vogt is an aging catcher that may be nearing the end of his career.

Sadly, the A’s are likely coming to this realization as well. The team’s inclination to use Phegley for defensive purposes behind the plate are a clear indication that Vogt’s grip on the starting role is loosening.

Could he experience a rebound of sorts? Sure.

Is it likely? Probably not.

The A’s will face a few difficult choices this season, especially with Sonny Gray and his ever changing popularity in the trade market. Stephen Vogt, though, remains one of the tougher choices the A’s must address this year.

He’s meant so much to the organization, but his struggles are looking like real causes for concern. The A’s would be smart to start the search now for a replacement and gear up for the future.