Soto's 9th-inning homer states case for rookie honor

With one swing of the bat Thursday at Wrigley Field, Geovany Soto probably cemented his lock on National League Rookie of the Year.

But it wasn't just that one swing - a swing that resulted in a game-tying 3-run homer in the bottom of the ninth with two outs against the rival Milwaukee Brewers - that has Soto atop nearly everyone's list for that honor.

It's his entire body of work this season, starting with offensive numbers from a rookie the fans haven't witnessed in decades.

Soto's game-tying blast was his 23rd homer of the season, the most by a Cubs rookie since Billy Williams had 25 in 1961, and the most by any rookie catcher since Mike Piazza's 35 in 1993. His 86 RBI rank fourth all time among Cubs rookies in a single season.

But, in the immortal words of Ron Popeil, "that's not all."

Soto has also done it with his glove - blocking balls in the dirt, blocking runners at the plate, and most importantly, calling games at a veteran level.

"I was surprised when I came over here," said Cubs pitcher Rich Harden. "For a rookie, he's got a great idea back there.

"It's not just handling your pitching staff and calling pitches, it's also at the plate. He's done so many good things this year. He's been a huge part of this team," Harden said.

So much so that some are saying Soto might just be the team's MVP.

Manager Lou Piniella said to save any talk of awards and kudos until the NL Central is clinched, His catcher couldn't agree more.

"This year's been really, really crazy," Soto admitted. "But I'm just here for one reason - to win and to keep on going (through the postseason)."