Updated: August 28, 2008, 8:03 AM ET

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AP Photo/Keith Srakocic

Geovany Soto is a big part of the Cubs' NL-best offense.

Soto's hard work pays off
grey_jason

By Jason Grey
ESPN.com
(Archive)

The depth at the catching position has been relatively weak this season compared to recent years, and that's saying something.

However, it has been pretty top-heavy, and one of the reasons for that has been the emergence of Geovany Soto.

The Cubs catcher drove in seven runs on Tuesday with three hits, including a homer, and scored three runs.

The 25-year-old hadn't really produced any noteworthy numbers in his first five seasons as a pro, but last year he finally got serious about his conditioning, dropping 25 pounds, which helped get his bat through the zone quicker. He also stopped trying to pull everything and learned to go the other way with pitches on the outer half of the plate.

The offensive numbers took off, and as he has continued to stay in good shape and keep a consistent approach at the plate, they've stayed there and will likely continue to do so through September and on into next season.

Soto had such ridiculous production while winning the MVP in the Pacific Coast League last season that he got a late-season chance to win a starting job at the big league level, and he ran with it by posting a .389 average in 54 late-season at-bats.

For the season, Soto is hitting .285 with 20 homers and 78 RBIs while slugging .509. He's also batting .328 this month as he appears to be finishing strong. He's ranked as the fifth-best catcher Player Rater but it'd be hard to argue against his being a top-3 pick at the position next season.

Past editions: 8/26: Strong outing from Pelfrey | 8/25: K-Rod fastest to 50 saves

Highlights
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Box Score Bits
Pedro Martinez gave up five runs in five innings as a prelude to new acquisition Luis Ayala, who blew a save with two outs in the ninth as the Mets lost a seven-run lead to the Phillies. Martinez has a 3.96 ERA in six starts since the break … Jimmy Rollins had a huge fantasy night in that extra-inning contest, with five hits, a homer and three stolen bases. … Ramon Castro left the game in the fifth due to a strained quad. He'll be re-evaluated today. … Jason Grilli picked up his first career save, a three-inning special in a five-run game, but it's likely the only save he's going to get this season. … Matt Palmer walked six and gave up four runs in his start against the Rockies, and the Giants promptly optioned him back to Triple-A after the game. … Given a six-run lead early, Gavin Floyd was able to relax and worry only about throwing strikes, and he cruised in allowing just two runs in eight innings. … Nick Swisher homered in the first, but left the game in the fourth after fouling a ball off of his leg. He's listed as day-to-day. … Ben Sheets has remained strong through the dog days of August, throwing six shutout innings on Tuesday, and he is on pace to crack 2000 innings for the first time since 2004. … On the other hand, Carlos Zambrano appears to be limping to the finish a bit, as he's posted a 7.43 ERA in five starts this month after allowing six runs and failing to get out of the fifth on Tuesday. … Andy Pettitte gave up six runs in 4 2/3 innings to take the loss against the Red Sox. There are reports he has requested not to have Pudge Rodriguez catch him, but he didn't fare well in this outing despite having Jose Molina behind the plate. Johnny Damon homered twice in the losing effort. … Cliff Lee was money again: After being staked to an 8-0 lead, he cruised to win No. 19. Ben Francisco went deep twice as part of the Indians' attack, and he is hitting .326 this month. … Derek Lowe allowed two runs over eight, but couldn't pick up a win against the Nationals. He's thrown quality starts in six of his past seven outings. … Roy Halladay beat James Shields and the Rays, throwing his seventh-straight quality start and recording 16 wins for the third straight year. … Dioner Navarro left in the sixth with cramping in both of his hamstrings. We'll know more about his condition today. … Wandy Rodriguez struck out 10 in seven innings, but it wasn't enough to overcome Bronson Arroyo's one-run complete game. Arroyo has quietly turned things around since the break, posting a 3.40 ERA in eight starts, with a 2.62 mark this month. … Kevin Millwood also had a one-run complete-game victory for his second start in a row to get his ERA under 5.00 for the first time since the beginning of July. He's still a very risky play down the stretch. … John Lackey also decided he wanted to be part of the "complete game allowing only one run" club. … Brandon Webb failed in his first bid for win No. 20, getting knocked around by the Padres in what is likely just a one-time poor start. … Roy Corcoran picked up a two-inning save for the Mariners, as J.J. Putz had worked the previous two nights and four of the past six.


ESPN Conversation
Standing Out

IT DOESN'T COME EASLEY
Damion Easley, Mets
Easley fell one base short of the cycle as he went 4-for-5 with a homer, a triple and three runs scored. Easley got some fairly regular playing time the past two months while Luis Castillo was out, but he'll be relegated back to more of a utility role now that Castillo has returned.
HONEYMOON'S OVER
Jair Jurrjens, Braves
The righty had his worst outing of the season, giving up six runs in three innings and having problems commanding his secondary pitches. He's been trying to find his release point in his past few outings.
News and Notes
Mark Kotsay was scratched from the Braves lineup amid rumors he's headed to the Red Sox. … Jonathan Sanchez will be activated from the disabled list to rejoin the Giants rotation on Monday. … Joba Chamberlain is scheduled for another bullpen session on Thursday, but there is still no timetable for his return. … The Kansas City Star reports that Alberto Callaspo should see the majority of starts at second base down the stretch because the club wants to see if he's capable of holding down a full-time role in the future. He can produce an empty batting average, but not much else. … Evan Longoria is targeting Sept. 2 as his return date from a fractured wrist. … Troy Percival's bullpen session on Tuesday went well, and he is expected to return by Monday. … Mets pitching prospect Jon Niese is expected to be called up to take John Maine's spot in the rotation, with his first start scheduled to come on Tuesday. He's a risky mixed-league play but is recommended in NL-only leagues. … George Sherrill played catch for the first time since going on the disabled list with shoulder inflammation, and he's hopeful he can return in the first week of September. Jim Johnson will continue to see any save chances in the interim.
Transactions

• The Rockies placed Brian Fuentes on the bereavement list, meaning he will be out anywhere from three to seven days. Manager Clint Hurdle said Manny Corpas will fill the closer's role until Fuentes returns.

• The Cardinals placed Brian Barton on the disabled list with a strained oblique muscle, and called up Nick Stavinoha from Triple-A to provide some outfield depth.

• Austin Kearns went on the disabled list with a stress fracture in his foot that could end his season. Elijah Dukes was activated from the DL and will be back in the lineup today. He is a fantasy consideration in all formats.

• J.D. Drew officially went on the disabled list with his back problem to make room for the return of Tim Wakefield, who allowed three runs in five innings to beat the Yankees.

• The Blue Jays activated Scott Rolen from the disabled list, and he will play as much as his shoulder allows for the balance of the season, even though the team recently acquired Jose Bautista as insurance.

• The Tigers called up starter Chris Lambert from Triple-A, and he was rudely greeted by the Indians' bats in his big league debut, allowing six runs -- two earned -- in less than three innings of work. He's not recommended.

On The Farm

• Brandon Morrow allowed six runs in 4 2/3 innings of work on Tuesday in what was supposed to be his final outing getting stretched out at Triple-A before returning to the big leagues as a starter. He allowed five hits, walked three, and struck out three in 79 pitches. This poor outing may push back his timetable to give him one last Triple-A start before Tacoma's season ends.

• After not being scored upon in his three previous rehab outings, Bartolo Colon gave up four runs -- three earned -- in three innings of work in his latest start at Triple-A. He gave up four hits, walked one, and struck out three, hurling 60 pitches. Even before this start, the plan was for him to have one more rehab game to get up to 80 pitches before joining the Red Sox for the stretch -- potentially in a bullpen role, depending on Josh Beckett's recovery.

• Wade Davis, one of the Rays' top pitching prospects, threw one-hit, shutout ball over six innings in his eighth start since being promoted to Triple-A, propelling his Durham ballclub into the playoffs. Since his promotion, Davis has a 2.68 ERA with more than a strikeout per inning, and he'll make a push for a rotation spot next season.