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Geovany Soto

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For the baseballpitcher,seeGiovanni Soto.

Geovany Soto
Soto with the Chicago Cubs in 2010
Catcher
Born:(1983-01-20)January 20, 1983(age 41)
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Batted:Right
Threw:Right
MLB debut
September 23, 2005, for the Chicago Cubs
Last MLB appearance
May 7, 2017, for the Chicago White Sox
MLB statistics
Batting average.245
Home runs108
Runs batted in361
Teams
Career highlights and awards

Geovany Soto(born January 20, 1983) is aPuerto Ricanformerprofessional baseballcatcher.He played 13 seasons inMajor League Baseball(MLB), most prominently as a member of theChicago Cubs,where he appeared in theMLB All-Star Gameand was named theNational League Rookie of the Yearin 2008. He also played for theTexas Rangers,theOakland Athletics,theLos Angeles Angelsand theChicago White Sox.

Professional career

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Chicago Cubs

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Selected by the Chicago Cubs 318th overall in the 11th round of the2001 Major League Baseball draft,Soto made his major league debut on September 23, 2005, against theHouston Astros.He was recalled by the Cubs on July 12, 2007, but only had 1 hit in 7 at-bats.[1]In September 2007, when the Cubs expanded their roster, he joined the team again. This was mainly because, in the minor leagues that year, he batted.353 with 26 home runs and 109 RBI and was named thePacific Coast League's MVP while playing for theIowa Cubs.[2]After his call-up in September, Soto had an average of.389.[1]Soto started for the Cubs during the 2007 playoff series against theArizona Diamondbacks.In game 2 of the series, Soto hit a home run into the left field bleachers atChase Field,giving the Cubs an early 2–0 lead. The Cubs ended up losing that game, but it further solidified him as the Cubs' full-time catcher going into 2008, withJason Kendallmoving on to Milwaukee as a free agent.

Soto batting for the Cubs against theCincinnati Reds.

2008

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Arguably the best offensive performance in Soto's career came April 30, 2008, in a rout against the Brewers. Soto hit two 3-run homers to account for 6 of the Cubs' 19 RBIs, only a few days removed from a two-game stretch against theNationalsin which he struck out in 8 consecutive at-bats. Soto was voted theNational LeagueRookie of the Month for April 2008 after hitting.341 with 5 home runs, 8 doubles, and 20RBIs,with anOPSof 1.059.[3]On May 19, 2008, he scored his first careerInside-the-park home runagainst theHouston Astros.[4]Soto led the early stage of the voting process for the National League's catcher in the2008 Major League Baseball All-Star Game.[5]He was selected to be the National League's starting catcher in the game. Soto became the first rookie catcher ever to start on the National League All-Star team.[6]Soto is the first Cubs' All-Star rookie to play in the game with at least 14 home runs sinceRafael Palmeirodid it in 1987, surpassing the mark when he hit his 15th home run on July 6, 2008.[7]He went 3 for 5 with 7 RBIs in a game on August 26 against thePittsburgh Pirates.[8]

As a rookie catcher, Soto called ano-hittergame from behind the plate to pitcherCarlos Zambranoin a game against theHouston Astroson September 14, 2008.[9]Played atMiller ParkinMilwaukeedue toHurricane Ikemoving through Houston, this was the first no-hitter in major league history pitched at a neutral site.

After the 2008 season, Soto was honored with theSporting News Rookie of the Year Awardand theMajor League Baseball Rookie of the Year Awardfor the National League.[10][11]Soto posted a.285 batting average, along with 23 home runs and 86 RBI's.[12]Soto won the award in a landslide, receiving 31 of 32 first place votes.[13]Soto is the first Cubs' backstop to play for multiple Cub playoff teams sinceGabby Hartnett,and is the first to start playoff games in consecutive years sinceJohnny Kling.Soto also won the Pedrín Zorrilla Award, receiving unanimous support during the voting process.[14]Orlando Cepedawas contacted to present the award, traveling to Puerto Rico for the ceremony.[14]

2009–2011

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Soto was unable to live up to huge expectations in 2009, only posting a.218 batting average and 47 RBI. In June 2009, Soto was revealed to have tested positive formarijuanaat theWorld Baseball Classic.[15]While MLB did not take any disciplinary actions, theInternational Baseball Federationhas banned him from playing internationally for two years.[16]

In 2010, Soto batted.280 with 17 home runs.[17]In 2011, Soto batted.228 with 17 home runs.[17]He led major league catchers in errors committed, with 13, and had the lowest fielding percentage, at.987.[18][19]

Texas Rangers

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On July 30, 2012, Soto was traded to theTexas Rangersfor right-handed pitcherJake Brigham.[20]In 47 games with Texas in 2012, he hit.196 with 5 home runs and 25 RBI.

Soto spent 2013 as the backup catcher toA. J. Pierzynski.On June 4, 2013, Soto played his first career game at third base. On July 29, Soto hit a home run to win a game against the Angels. The Rangers entered the bottom of the ninth down by 1 before Pierzynski, the designated hitter, hit a solo home run to tie the game. In 54 games in 2013, Soto hit.245/.328/.466 with 9 home runs and 22 RBI. On November 5, Soto signed a one-year, $3.05 million deal with incentives with the Rangers to be their primary catcher.[21]

Due to injuries to his knee and foot, Soto was on the disabled list for the first half of the 2014 season.[22]On July 9, 2014, Soto was arrested on a charge of marijuana possession.[23]

Oakland Athletics

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On August 24, 2014, the Rangers traded Soto to theOakland Athleticsfor cash considerations.[24]He appeared in 11 games and batted.262 with 8 RBI.

Chicago White Sox

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Soto signed a minor league 1-year deal with theChicago White Soxon January 22, 2015. He hit 9 home runs and drove in 21 RBI in 78 games with the White Sox.[25]

Los Angeles Angels

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On November 24, 2015, Soto signed a one-year $2.8 million contract with theLos Angeles Angels of Anaheim.He played in 26 games, with 86 at bats and 4 home runs.[26]

Chicago White Sox (second stint)

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Soto signed a minor league contract with the White Sox on January 6, 2017.[27]Soto made the White Sox Opening Day roster. His contract also included a club option for the 2018 season.[28]On April 6, Soto hit his first two home runs on the White Sox (three-run homer in the third inning and a solo home run in the seventh inning), his fourth career multi-home run game, his first since 2011 on theChicago Cubs.He finished the game logging two hits, two runs, and four RBIs.[29]On April 8, Soto hit a solo-home run in the sixth right afterMatt Davidsonhit a two-run homer. This was Soto's third of the season in four games.[30]On April 13, Soto was placed on the 10-day disabled list because of an inflamed right elbow.[31]On May 15, 2017, it was revealed that Soto would undergo surgery on his injured elbow for debridement, ruling him out for an additional three weeks.[32]He elected free agency on November 2, 2017.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ab"Stats: Individual Player Game Log – Geovany Soto C".Major League Baseball.RetrievedMay 22,2008.
  2. ^"Player Statistics: Geovany Soto".Minor League Baseball. Archived fromthe originalon July 1, 2007.RetrievedMay 22,2008.
  3. ^Mike Scarr (May 9, 2008)."Soto catches Gillette rookie honor".Major League Baseball.RetrievedMay 22,2008.
  4. ^"Geovany Soto's inside-the-park homer paces Cubs' 7–2 win".Los Angeles Times.May 20, 2008. Archived fromthe originalon May 21, 2008.RetrievedMay 22,2008.
  5. ^Lester Jiménez (July 1, 2008)."Soto se consolida en la votación".Primera Hora(in Spanish).RetrievedJuly 1,2008.
  6. ^Carrie Muskat (July 6, 2008)."Cubs send seven to All-Star Game".Cubs.RetrievedJuly 7,2008.
  7. ^"Geovany celebró con su 15to. bambinazo".Primera Hora(in Spanish). July 7, 2008.RetrievedJuly 8,2008.
  8. ^"Geovany Soto estuvo colosal con siete remolcadas".Primera Hora(in Spanish). August 27, 2008.RetrievedAugust 27,2008.
  9. ^Roberto Colón Segarra (September 16, 2008)."Gesta con toque criollo".Primera Hora(in Spanish).RetrievedSeptember 16,2008.
  10. ^Carrie Muskat (October 22, 2008)."Soto, Longoria recognized by players".RetrievedOctober 22,2008.
  11. ^"Rays' Longoria, Cubs' Soto win rookie of year awards".November 10, 2008.RetrievedNovember 10,2008.
  12. ^"Geovany Soto Stats - Baseball-Reference".RetrievedApril 2,2017.
  13. ^"2008 MLB Awards: NL Rookie of the Year".November 10, 2008.
  14. ^ab""Peruchín" Cepeda encabeza acto en honor de Soto "(in Spanish). El Expresso de Puerto Rico. November 26, 2008.RetrievedJanuary 13,2009.
  15. ^"Geovany Soto embarrassed by positive drug test at World Baseball Classic".Chicago Tribune.RetrievedJune 25,2009.
  16. ^"Cubs' Soto won't be suspended for positive marijuana test at WBC".CBSSports.June 25, 2009.RetrievedJuly 11,2009.
  17. ^ab"Geovany Soto Statistics and History".Baseball-Reference.RetrievedDecember 15,2013.
  18. ^"2011 Major League Baseball Fielding Leaders".Baseball-Reference.RetrievedDecember 15,2013.
  19. ^"2013 Regular Season MLB Baseball C Fielding Statistics – Major League Baseball – ESPN".Espn.go.RetrievedDecember 15,2013.
  20. ^Nicholson-Smith, Ben (July 30, 2012)."Rangers Acquire Geovany Soto".
  21. ^Durrett, Richard (November 5, 2013)."Rangers: Geovany Soto is 'primary' catcher".ESPN Dallas.
  22. ^"Royals acquire RHP Jason Frasor from Rangers".ESPN.Associated Press. July 16, 2014.RetrievedJuly 17,2014.
  23. ^"Rangers C Soto arrested for marijuana possession".Associated Press. July 11, 2014.RetrievedJuly 12,2014.
  24. ^Watkins, Calvin (August 24, 2014)."A's acquire Geovany Soto".ESPN.RetrievedAugust 24,2014.
  25. ^"White Sox agree to deals with Soto, Penny".January 22, 2015.RetrievedApril 2,2017.
  26. ^DiGiovanna, Mike (November 24, 2015)."Angels sign veteran catcher Geovany Soto to one-year, $2.8-million deal".RetrievedApril 2,2017– via LA Times.
  27. ^Kane, Colleen."White Sox bring back catcher Geovany Soto on minor-league deal".Chicago Tribune.RetrievedApril 2,2017.
  28. ^Kane, Colleen."New faces on the White Sox: Geovany Soto wants to 'return the favor' as catching mentor".Chicago Tribune.RetrievedApril 2,2017.
  29. ^Schoch, Matt (April 6, 2017)."Davidson, Soto power White Sox past Tigers, 11-2".AP News.RetrievedApril 8,2017.
  30. ^Cassidy, Jack (April 8, 2017)."Garcia, White Sox hand Twins first loss with 6-2 win".AP News.RetrievedApril 14,2017.
  31. ^Merkin, Scott (April 13, 2017)."White Sox catcher Geovany Soto goes on DL".Major League Baseball.RetrievedApril 14,2017.
  32. ^Trezza, Joe."Geovany Soto to undergo elbow surgery".MLB.RetrievedMay 15,2017.
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Wikimedia Commons has media related toGeovany Soto.
Awards
Preceded by
Ryan Braun
 Baseball America Rookie of the Year
2008 		Succeeded by
Preceded by
Ryan Braun
 Sporting News NL Rookie of the Year
2008 		Succeeded by
Preceded by
Ryan Braun
 Baseball ProspectusInternet Baseball NL Rookie of the Year
2008 		Succeeded by
Incumbent
Preceded by
Ryan Braun
 Players Choice NL Most Outstanding Rookie
2008 		Succeeded by
Incumbent
Preceded by Topps Rookie All-Star Catcher
2008 		Succeeded by
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