Cubs' catcher Soto: 'I've just got to be myself'

MESA, Ariz. - He's the reigning Rookie of the Year in the National League.

He's made the speaking circuits back home in Puerto Rico and on the mainland.

So how does Geovany Soto top all that? Easy. He tries not to think about it.

"I think that's the error that some of the other players make," Soto said Thursday at the Cubs' Fitch Park facility as he has joined many of the early arrivals among pitchers and catchers.

"They try and do too much. I'm just going to try to do whatever I'm capable of and stay within my game and get the results. If I try to, like, hit more home runs, it's not going to work.

"I've just got to be myself and play how I know how to play and see what happens."

What happened last year was that Soto batted .285 with 23 homers and 86 RBI. The 23 homers were the most ever by a Cubs rookie catcher. His on-base percentage was .364, and his slugging percentage was .504.

On top of that, Soto was able to handle a veteran pitching staff on the way to a NL Central title for the Cubs.

Soto looks to be in top physical shape, an aspect of his game that he may have let get away from him over previous winters. Thursday, he painted a picture of a guy training for the decathlon and said it was an easy routine to follow.

"I just tried to do the same every day," he said. "You've got to prepare for a season of eight months, and that's what you need to do. It's our job. Might as well go to the track and the field and work on the aspects you need to work. My aspect is trying to keep it (the weight) down. When you're down, it's easier keeping it down than coming down. I feel good."

Equally important, Soto flexed his left hand and said it feels fine. Late last season, he was bothered by tenderness in the hand and even admitted in November it was still hurting him.

"It's good," he said. "I've felt nothing whatsoever for a month or two months now.

To that end, Soto said he's been hitting for a month, mainly off a tee to maintain his stroke. He also seems to know he won't sneak up on anybody and that expectations will be high for him in 2009.

"I'm just not going to try to put pressure, extra pressure, on me," he said. "I just want to do whatever I do. If it goes well, good. If not, I'm going to try my best to put it where it needs to be. I'm going to do the same thing I did last year and even better. I'm going to try to have a better year to help the club and get through those levels."