Jorge Soler – OF – Chicago Cubs
Height: 6'4" Weight: 215 lbs. -- Hits: Right Throws: Right
2014 Stats (AA & AAA) – 445 AB .340/.432/.700, 15 HR, 57 RBI, 42 Runs
Scouting Report
Coming out of Cubs in 2011, Soler was supposed to be raw power hitter with five tools in his pocket. It took two underwhelming minor league seasons for him to finally show the Cubs organization the flashes he had shown in the 2010 WBC. Soler has out of control bat speed that can catch up to any fastball in any zone he wishes to offer at. He is intense at the plate and will not let pitchers off the hook no matter the count or situation. If power is his biggest attribute than patience is a pretty close second. Soler has a good understanding of the strikezone and isn’t bothered by taking a walk. Though he has great power to all fields he sometimes gets very pull oriented. He is also a rare power hitter who doesn’t strikeout very much.
After arriving in the United States, Soler put on some weight in both muscle and fat. Some believe the added pounds contributed to his hamstring injuries each of the past two seasons. Indeed, this may be true or a precursor to an issue that can haunt him throughout his career. In his first 34 minor league games Soler stole 12 bases while only being caught once. Since then he has stolen a total of five bases total. He has above average speed but is absolutely not comfortable on the basepaths whatsoever. Soler has a strong arm and is a natural fit in right field.
The biggest issue with Soler aside from the hamstring injuries is his temper. He has had a few dust ups with opposing players, umpires and even teammates while in the minor leagues. He started out on the wrong foot with the Cubs after failing to report to minor league camp shortly after signing his nine year $30 million deal feeling that he should have been in Chicago immediately. The other scare for the Cubs brass was his ability to hit right handed pitching. In 2013, Soler hit an astonishing .377/.414/.698 Vs LHP while limping to a .247/.318/.386 triple slash Vs RHP. He seemed to overcome this at three different levels in 2014 but this will be something the coaches have their eye on especially in spring training.
2015 Analysis
Almost until his arrival in Chicago in late August last season, there were concerns that Jorge Soler was something of a bust. He couldn’t stay healthy and when he did was rubbing everybody from teammates to the Cubs front office the wrong way. Well a 400 foot blast in his first at-bat and another four homeruns in his month long stint erased most if not all of those concerns. Soler reminds me a lot of Andrew McCutchen in that when I watched these guys in the minor leagues I really felt they were lazy ballplayers. Then, when the big lights go on both have risen to the occasion. Sure there is a lot that remains to be seen on the Soler front but he gave us all some good reasons for optimism late last year. With Nate Schierholtz and Justin Ruggiano gone, Soler has the starting RF job in Chicago all wrapped up providing he doesn’t completely tank it this spring.
The real question is whether or not Soler can prove to be adequate protection in the lineup for Cubs 1B Anthony Rizzo and if the top of the lineup can get on base enough to provide ample RBI opportunities. A young power hitter with as good of pitch recognition as this kid has makes for a very intriguing fantasy prospect. The entire Cubs team could be fantasy gold or pure dog crap in 2015. Soler is at least battle tested and even if he isn’t going to hit for a high average or steal any bases he is a very good selection in the later middle rounds of your draft.
Compare To
Yoenis Cespedes – The comparisons are endless really from his build to his destruction against LHP. These two former Cuban National players are similar in a number of ways and the hope is that Soler can learn from some of Cespedes’ struggles over the past two seasons.
Edwin Encarnacion – Watch the two of them side by side and it is really hard to tell who is whom. They both feature the step toward the pitcher front foot and incredibly quick wrists that generate massive power.
Current ADP
Jorge Soler is currently the 47th ranked outfielder in the 2015 Fantasy Alarm Fantasy Baseball Draft Guide.
Jorge Soler has an average draft position of 124.74 according to the National Fantasy Baseball Championship (NFBC).
He was drafted in the 13th round (164th overall) in the FSTA Fantasy Baseball League