Geovany Soto

Geovany Soto

Geovany Soto was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in 2001. He was first called up from AAA at the end of 2005.

He spent 2006 and 2007 in AAA until called up at the end of 2007. He was playing great in AAA during 2007 earning MVP for the Pacific Coast League.

He was doing so well after being called up he started behind the plate in the division series against the Arizona Diamondbacks replacing Jason Kendall

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Following the 2007 season Jason Kendall chose free agency and moved on to the Brewers. There he could play everyday thinking that Soto was going to be the first string catcher. You might say 2008 was the year. Soto made the All Star Team as a rookie, almost unheard of. Then for an encore was named NL Rookie of the Year.

But it wasn't just his bat that got him the attention. Yes, he did hit 23 home runs and drive in 86 runs. But it was the way he called the game and worked with the pitchers that really makes him a valuable part of the puzzle. The only flaw I see is that he strikes out too much.

Along with his other team mates Soto is struggling at the plate during 2009. It was reported that he had a hand and then shoulder. His batting average is down along with his home runs and RBI's. He still calls a great game. Its unfortunate that he just started to get going at the plate in the last month or so and he injured his oblique muscle and is currently is on the DL

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Soto did not have a very good 2009. He hit only .218 and played in only 102 games. His homeruns were down to 11 and he only drove in 47 runs. His slugging percentage dipped to .381 from .504 in 2008. Sophmore jinx? Let's hope so.

Geovany Soto was determined to make believers of non-believers in 2010. 2008 was not a fluke. He worked during the off season to get in shape and it showed. Even though he ended the season on the DL his play improved all around. He did spend some time on the DL but is average improved to .281 and hit 17 home runs and drove in 53 runs and his slugging percentage went back up to .497. A vast improvement over 2009.

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