PHOENIX -- Stephen Vogt reached the big leagues on the strength of his bat, but his chances of staying there with the Brewers depend on the strength of his right arm. He has a little black bag in his locker filled with the tools he hopes will help.
Over the offseason, Vogt joined a growing group of position players using weighted balls to improve his mechanics and arm strength. Pitchers like the Indians' Trevor Bauer and Orioles' Zach Britton are known for employing the heavy rubber balls as part of their throwing programs, but position players including Bauer's teammate Francisco Lindor and the Mets' Yoenis Cespedes have found them helpful as well.