The Chicago Cubs youth movement is in full force, and the latest member to get the call is Jorge Soler. Soler was once considered to have the highest upside out of the trio of Cuban outfielders just a few years back, but Yasiel Puig and Yoenis Cespedes made the big leagues much quicker.
Soler has struggled with injuries over the past two years and had not seen any game action above High-A before this season, but hit over .400 in 22 games at Double-A this season and had an OPS of .969 in 31 games at Triple-A. In all, he has 14 home runs in just 61 games this season and projects to be a great middle of the order bat for the Cubs for many years to come.
Soler spent some time in the Arizona League this year, and I missed him by a day, but everyone I spoke to that got a chance to see him raved about how impressive a presence he is on the diamond. He stands 6’4” and weighs in at 215 lbs. with improving bat-to-ball skills and a cannon of an arm that makes him a sure thing right fielder.
The only tool that falls shy of being a plus potential is his run, but it is still an average tool. There are obvious health concerns given his injury struggles of the past two seasons, and he has showed immaturity on and off the field, but his talent is undeniable.
According to several outlets, Soler will not make his Cubs debut until Wednesday, but he will join Arismendy Alcantara and Javier Baez in the lineup to give fans on the North Side a good look at the future of franchise today.