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2008 Without qualification, Soto is one of the more valuable prospects in baseball. Catchers who can slug in the .450 to .500 range are unusual enough, but slugging catchers who also boast a well-above-average throwing arm and a pretty good batting eye are among the elite. PECOTA sees some potential for a slightly late, Jorge Posada-style peak, but even at his present level of ability, he's already the best catcher in the division. 2007 Soto got the barest look-see from the Cubs last September, as Baker chose to run Blanco out there every day after Barrett`s injury rather than give Soto a chance. Soto didn`t show much and really shouldn`t have been expected to, but it would have been nice to see the Cubs at least try to evaluate young guys like him while playing out the string. If Henry Blanco goes 10-for-20 in the last week of September, it`s fun for his family but does nothing for the future of the franchise. 2006 A nimble backstop with a strong arm, Soto might be ready to replace Henry Blanco right now, not that that`s much of a standard. The question is whether Soto`s quick bat and decent patience at the plate will be good enough to make him more than a career reserve. He also has some experience at the infield and outfield spots, a quirky (or Quirk-y) virtue for a backup catcher. 2005 Soto, who has a fine arm and a good defensive reputation, hit just enough at West Tennessee to get himself designated as the team's de jure catcher of the future and added to the 40-man roster. His numbers weren't anything special, but he had a better season than Jeff Goldbach, who hit .233 for the Joliet Jackhammers, or Pat Cline, who was June's Employee of the Month at the Topeka Bed, Bath and Beyond.
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