Cubs hoping to catch another big year from Soto
One of the big refrains at spring training last year was that the Cubs would need a bounce-back year from Geovany Soto if they were to contend.
Guess what? Soto had that bounce-back year. But the Cubs didn't contend.
There were myriad reasons for that, but the Cubs again need a big year from their catcher, who at 28 has emerged as one of the top players at that position in the National League.
Season-ending shoulder surgery kept Soto out of action for the final two weeks of the 2010 season, but he finished with a hitting line of .280/.393/.497 with 17 homers and 53 RBI.
Soto's .393 on-base percentage led Cubs regulars and had many stats-oriented fans wondering whether he shouldn't be batting higher in the order, say, second.
Manager Mike Quade doesn't seem inclined to do that, at least not in spring training. Let's look at the Cubs' catching picture for 2011.
How does Soto feel?He recently said he feels like he's 18 again. The Cubs hope that holds true because Soto's games-played totals have gone from 141 in his Rookie of the Year season in 2008 to 102 during a disastrous 2009 to 105 last year.
Soto also looks to be in good physical shape after questions about his weight dogged him early in his career.
What about defense?We'll see what the Cactus League season brings as far as throwing out runners goes. Last year, Soto was 18 of 92 throwing out basestealers. Main backup Koyie Hill was 5 of 42, and Welington Castillo was 2 of 5.
Speaking of Hill, why is he still the backup?That seems to be a hot-button issue for many fans. Hill will make $850,000 this season, up from the $700,000 he made last year. These days, that's hardly extravagant.
Hill, who turns 32 on March 9, is immensely popular in the clubhouse, and pitchers like throwing to him. Hill's hitting line last year was .214/.254/.298. General manager Jim Hendry was asked about Hill at the Cubs convention.
#8220;For $850,000, you've got a guy who does a lot of things you don't notice from the stands,#8221; Hendry said. #8220;You've got a guy, who up until last year, threw out about 40 baserunners in his career. Tremendous asset to the pitching staff. Great defender. Great leader for his position.
#8220;I would beg to differ that you could find a guy like that for the league minimum that would be better in his role. He was very good in Geo's progression. He's been very good in some of the younger pitchers' (progression) last year. When Mike (manager Quade) took over, he (Hill) was very good with Andrew Cashner, things that don't go noticed. I'd like to think that we know enough about those kind of decisions that he's well worth it.#8221;
What if Soto or Hill gets hurt?The Cubs seem to have growing confidence in Castillo, who turns 24 in April. Castillo got 7 games of big-league experience last year after going .255/.317/.498 at Class AAA Iowa.
Castillo annually has been among the youngest catchers in his league, and the Cubs feel he has caught up. Throwing is a strength, and the Cubs hope Hill and Soto can help Castillo with is pitch-calling.
The Cubs claimed Max Ramirez off waivers from Boston in January. Ramirez, 26, hit .217 for Texas last year.
Who's down on the farm?With the trade of Robinson Chirinos to Tampa Bay in the Matt Garza deal, Castillo is far and away the Cubs' top prospect.
Michael Brenly, son of TV analyst Bob, figures to move up to Class AA Tennessee this year. The Cubs have never seemed high on the younger Brenly, and that seems odd, given how they value baseball bloodlines (see James Russell and Casey Coleman).
Micah Gibbs, drafted in the third round last year, saw action at low-A Boise last year. You may be able see him play in Peoria (A) this summer.