Geovany Soto

[Ski]

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=Ak.mWl9h5bshp_pmIx5Xk6IRvLYF?slug=jp-nlroy091308&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

[AllStarMe]

Good read. Further confirmation of the sig I've been sporting since ST. What Geo's accomplished has totally been appreciated by Cubs fans, but it's good to see him getting his due propers from other national sources. Aside from his offensive numbers, Geo's ability to connect with the pitchers is superb.

 

Advice from the 37-year-old Blanco, in his 11th big-league season and fourth with the Cubs, helped ease Soto in, as did his outgoing personality. Soto built a rapport with each pitcher, the starters especially, and said he tries to play soothsayer when they’re on the mound.

 

Earlier this season, Lilly said, he had gone three innings without throwing a slider. He figured it was a good time to throw one. And when he looked down to Soto for the sign, there it was: slider inside.

 

I really like the effect Hank's had on Geo and wouldn't mind if the Cubs exercised his 09 option. He's a competent backup and I think will make a good coach someday if he decides to go that route.

 

Anyone else feel like the Michael Barrett era was freakin ages ago?

[Bote McBoteface]

The who era? :-k

[Schwarber Fan]

Geovany Soto

[hotshot13422]

Geovany Soto

[Guest]

Linus (Chicago, IL): Have we seen Geovany Soto's ceiling? What are his long term projections look like? I assume that no one has him pegged as the next Piazza, but how does he compare to McCann?

 

John Manuel: Good question, and I think the answer is probably yes as far as offense goes, he's just had an amazing year. I don't think we saw this kind of power coming; I also believe his athleticism was undersold, but then he did lose a ton of weight between '06 and '07, and that seems to have been the key that unlocked everything. Hard not to like him, a lot; moving forward I'd give him a slight edge over McCann because of the athleticism.

[BigbadB]

I'm curious how many warning track fly ball outs Soto has had this year. Seems like he would be closer to 40 HR's if the wind blew out more.

[Cynosure]

Geovany Soto

 

And to add... 22 HR is way over what I thought... I took over on 19.5 but I thought he would hit 20-21 by the end of the season, he could end with 24 this year.

[BCVM22]

Geovany Soto's 2008 Checklist:

 

- Break Jody Davis' and Randy Hundley's franchise catcher home run records

- Become the first NL rookie catcher to start an All-Star Game

- Make Cub Nation ask the question, "Barrett who?"

- Catch a no-hitter

- Win NL Rookie of the Year unanimously

 

Not bad.

[Ski]

Geovany Soto's 2008 Checklist:

 

- Break Jody Davis' and Randy Hundley's franchise catcher home run records

- Become the first NL rookie catcher to start an All-Star Game

- Make Cub Nation ask the question, "Barrett who?"

- Catch a no-hitter

- Win NL Rookie of the Year unanimously

-Win the freakin World Series

 

Not bad.

That would be awesome.

[mul21]

My favorite part of the article:

 

Soto is.....even the apple of crusty ol’ Lou Piniella’s eye.

[UMFan83]

Linus (Chicago, IL): Have we seen Geovany Soto's ceiling? What are his long term projections look like? I assume that no one has him pegged as the next Piazza, but how does he compare to McCann?

 

John Manuel: Good question, and I think the answer is probably yes as far as offense goes, he's just had an amazing year. I don't think we saw this kind of power coming; I also believe his athleticism was undersold, but then he did lose a ton of weight between '06 and '07, and that seems to have been the key that unlocked everything. Hard not to like him, a lot; moving forward I'd give him a slight edge over McCann because of the athleticism.

 

John Manuel doesn't know that Geovany Soto is holding some of his ability back on purpose because it's not needed yet.