Geovany Soto

2013

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2012

Soto is on an every-other-year plan of producing that's made him profitable for some, but disastrous for others. Some of it can be explained by wide BABIP fluctuations (and catchers' smaller at-bat samples make those more likely), and he's also dealt with impatient management and nagging injuries, but last year his walk and contact rates plummeted to the lowest levels of his career. Still, at 29, Soto is still in his prime, and having demonstrated elite hitting skills for a catcher in 2008 and 2010, he's capable of another major bounce back.

2011

After a disastrous sophomore year, Soto bounced back in a big way, with a .280/.393/.497 line, leading all major league catchers in OPS (.890) last season. Soto has excellent power, a good batting eye and has hit for a solid average, including a .353 mark at Triple-A in 2007, for three of the last four years. Soto spent time on the DL in August with a sprained shoulder, which required arthroscopic surgery after the season, but was expected to resume baseball activities in early January - in plenty of time to get ready for the start of spring training. Soto is the Cubs' unquestioned starting catcher, and with Lou Piniella no longer around to give too many at-bats to Koyie Hill for God knows what reason, Soto should improve significantly upon last year's counting stats.

2010

After a huge rookie year that put Soto on the map as one of the game's premier hitting catchers, he took a big step back in 2009, and it's unclear exactly why. He played in the World Baseball Classic and was underused, causing him to get out of shape early on. He also had some terrible BABIP luck (.257 in 2009 vs. .337 in 2008) and he missed six weeks with an oblique injury, then lost playing time to journeyman Koyie Hill when he returned. Still, a closer look at the numbers shows improved contact and walk rates from his rookie year, bad luck on balls in play and 11 home runs in 331 at-bats. Anything can happen, and one can be legitimately concerned about Soto's confidence, but we'd bet on him bouncing back.

2009

Soto's .285/.364/.504 line from the catcher spot earned him Rookie of the Year honors and 13th place in the National League MVP voting, and at age 26 he should only get better. If we had to nitpick, it would be on account of his low contact rate - Soto's strikeout totals put him at risk for a batting average dip. Still, he hits the ball hard, has excellent power and draws his share of free passes. He should again be one of the top backstops in the league.

2008

Soto tore up Triple-A last year, hitting for average and power while displaying passable plate discipline roughly in line with his career norms. Of course, his .415 batting average on balls in play isn't remotely sustainable, so don't expect a .300 hitter at the major league level. With Jason Kendall gone, Soto is expected to open the season as the team's starting catcher, with Henry Blanco serving as the backup.

2007

Soto doesn't hit for power, but he's got good on-base skills for a catcher and is good defensively. He'll be an option if Michael Barrett or Henry Blanco goes down.

2006

Soto doesn't have much pop, but he's got good on-base skills for a catcher and is good defensively. He'll be an option if Michael Barrett or Henry Blanco goes down.