Stephen Vogt becomes A's main catcher

OAKLAND, Calif. (KGO) -- Oakland Athletics general manager Billy Beane traded away his two starting catchers in Derrick Norris and John Jaso this off season, leaving 30-year-old Stephen Vogt as their principal receiver. ABC7 Sports recently caught up with him in Arizona.

The Oakland A's have six catchers in camp this spring, with Vogt at the head of the class. The 30-year-old went from trying to make the roster every year to being the main man.

"It's definitely a different feeling for me personally. It's something I've never experienced before in my 30 years of life. It's neat to know there is that trust, but I don't look at it any differently than I did last year. I'm fighting for a spot and work hard every day to earn it," Vogt said.

He had surgery on his right foot in October and recently caught his first game since July 7, 2014. He says he feels great and likes the look of this revamped A's roster.

"We're comfortable when people have to look up our names on baseball references who beat them the night before. It's a bunch of guys getting second and third and first chances in the major leagues. All we want to do is play hard and win," Vogt said.

Vogt played in 84 games last season behind the plate and at first base, with nine home runs and 35 RBI. He is likely to do well this year with Josh Phegley. And despite the teams make over and three spots open in the starting rotation Vogt likes what this team has to offer.

"You look at this team and we have the arms. I've been able to catch and watch the pitchers who were going to be good. The names are different, but at the same time the stuff is there, the competiveness is there... It's going to be fun," Vogt said.