Geovany Soto - Fantasy News & Updates
Geovany Soto - Fantasy News & Updates
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After emerging as one of the heaviest hitting backstops in 2008, Soto experienced a major drop-off in production this year. He was hampered by a variety of injuries over the course of the season -- which gave backup Koyie Hill the opportunity for some extended playing time -- but was never able to settle into a groove. Because of his disappointing sophomore campaign, his value took a big hit. That said, the 26-year-old’s bounceback potential could make him a quality late-round scoop in 2010.
Soto had been in yet another funk leading up to Saturday's game, going just .097 (3-for-31) over eight games before Saturday's multi-hit outing. The latest cold snap only solidified Soto's 2009 campaign as one of the most disappointing for any position player. His .220 batting average, 11 home runs and 45 RBIs are far lower marks than what owners were expecting from the 2008 NL Rookie of the Year.
After closing out August in a horrific 2-for-24 slump, Soto has worked his way back onto fantasy rosters thanks to a .379 average, a couple of taters and 12 RBIs in September. It's too late for him to get his overall numbers back to respectability, but he's at least coming through for owners who snagged him for the stretch run.
Soto has been racking up the extra-base hits lately, collecting six doubles and two homers with 12 RBIs over his last seven games. It's likely too little, too late for most owners, though, as Soto is still batting just .226 with 43 RBIs after being selected as a top-tier catcher in most drafts this past spring.
While Soto has dug himself quite the hole in his disappointing followup to his splendid '08 rookie campaign, the young backstop has looked determined to end '09 on a high note, smacking the ball around for a .438 average (7-for-16) with nine RBIs in September. Those looking for an upgrade behind the dish for a playoff run should jump back on the Soto bandwagon while there's still room.
It's no secret that Soto has left fantasy owners disappointed after earning NL Rookie of the Year honors one season earlier. Still, the Cubs backstop has shown glimmers of promise over the last three games, going 4-for-10 with three doubles, a homer and seven RBIs.
Sometimes it only takes one statistic to sum up an entire year. Case in point: Soto has only posted one other game this season, June 24, in which he's cracked more than a single extra-base hit. Soto is batting .218 with nine homers and 33 RBIs in what has been a dismal followup to a fantastic rookie campaign.
It's been a tough campaign for Soto, the 2008 NL Rookie of the Year Award winner, who saw his average drop to .212 following Sunday's 0-for-4 effort. Hill hasn't exactly looked like the second coming of Mike Piazza, but he's hitting .321 this month, and the Cubs are 33-21 when he starts. It's unclear whether Piniella plans to alternate the two backstops on a daily basis, but the time share will likely prevent either from delivering much value outside of deep NL-only leagues.
Hill has shown the capability to hit the ball, evidenced by his four multi-hit efforts in his last nine starts. Given how disappointing Geovany Soto has been at the plate, Hill figures to earn numerous more starts before the end of the year.
Soto's value has taken a precipitous fall as injuries and a part-time starting role have relegated his value to deeper mixed formats. He didn't start Aug. 12 and 14, which manager Lou Piniella stated was a move to keep Soto rested for the stretch run. Despite the multi-hit game Saturday, owners in standard formats should look elsewhere for backstop help.
It's the second time in three games Soto has sat, but Cubs manager Lou Piniella said he is not hurt. He just plans to give backup Koyie Hill more playing time.
Soto spent nearly a month on the DL and was 0-for-7 with five strikeouts in his first two games back in the lineup, but he took a nice step forward in this one. Soto has been a terrible disappointment this season, posting a .225-9-29 line and slugging .396 in 227 at-bats, but after his brilliant 2008 campaign, most owners have stuck with him through those struggles. There's still some time left for him to turn his season around, but the window is closing.
Soto, who last played on July 6, missed more than a month with a left oblique strain. The reigning National League Rookie of the Year struggled mightily before the injury, batting .230 with eight homers and 27 RBIs,
Soto, who has been out since July 7 because of a strained left oblique, has played three games this week with Double-A Tennessee. The Cubs will make another roster move Friday to accommodate for Soto's activation.
Soto, who has been sidelined with a strained oblique, homered in a rehab game for Double-A Tennessee on Tuesday. Manager Lou Piniella wanted Soto back with the Cubs as soon as Wednesday, but "the feeling is he needs two more days," he said. Soto has struggled mightily in his second campaign, batting .230 with eight homers and 27 RBIs in 69 games.
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