Neftali Soto, Catcher? - RedsZone.com - Cincinnati Reds Fans' Home for Baseball Discussion

New Fever · 10-07-2009, 03:42 PM

From the BA Florida State League chat:

Deywane (Memphis): What happened to Neftali Soto, is he still a prospect?

J.J. Cooper: Still a prospect, but less of one then he was a year ago. He has good hand-eye coordination and plus power but his lack of first-step quickness means he's not a third baseman long term. And some opposing managers and scouts were not impressed with the effort he put out. I wouldn't be shocked to see the Reds try him at catcher where he may profile better

dougdirt · 10-07-2009, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by New Fever

From the BA Florida State League chat:

Deywane (Memphis): What happened to Neftali Soto, is he still a prospect?

J.J. Cooper: Still a prospect, but less of one then he was a year ago. He has good hand-eye coordination and plus power but his lack of first-step quickness means he's not a third baseman long term. And some opposing managers and scouts were not impressed with the effort he put out. I wouldn't be shocked to see the Reds try him at catcher where he may profile better

Well that would certainly be interesting to see.

*BaseClogger* · 10-07-2009, 03:45 PM

I like it...

Spazzrico · 10-07-2009, 04:00 PM

Could the NL Central handle two Soto's at catcher???? Inquiring minds want to know.

cincyinco · 10-07-2009, 04:19 PM

This is the knock I've had about soto all along. He's not a 3b from all accounts, even more so this year. That being the case, I always said that put a huge question mark on his value as a prospect. I figured they would move him off 3b which would put a ding in his overall worth. But.. I never seriously considered him at catcher. If he could catch, its conceivable his value could actually go up. Intresting for sure..

redhawk61 · 10-07-2009, 04:34 PM

Enter pro ball as a SS, ending up a C....but I like it

lollipopcurve · 10-07-2009, 04:42 PM

It's more than the stick, though. You gotta have the defense and a leadership mentality. Soto brings questions on both fronts.

mace · 10-07-2009, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lollipopcurve

It's more than the stick, though. You gotta have the defense and a leadership mentality. Soto brings questions on both fronts.

Yup. If effort is not his thing, catcher is not his position. But then, what is?

fearofpopvol1 · 10-07-2009, 05:55 PM

i think this would be a very smart move.

icehole3 · 10-07-2009, 06:05 PM

what about Cisco at catcher?

Joseph · 10-07-2009, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redhawk61

Enter pro ball as a SS, ending up a C....but I like it

I believe that was the route Russell Martin took, I don't think I'd be too upset with him as my everyday catcher.

dougdirt · 10-07-2009, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by icehole3

what about Cisco at catcher?

Not enough time. He only has 2 years to be ready to stay in the majors forever.

TC81190 · 10-07-2009, 09:16 PM

I like it, but isn't a little late for this idea to be put forth for Soto?

Kc61 · 10-07-2009, 09:28 PM

I think it is a bad idea to make Soto a catcher.

Soto had a disappointing season. He hasn't hit for power, doesn't walk, and this year didn't have his usual good BA. But he played in a tough hitter's league and was young for the level.

No reason to make panic moves with this kid, who probably never caught an inning in his life. Let him work on his hitting. That high average hitter we saw in the lower minors may reappear. With maturity and, perhaps in a more hitting friendly league, his knack for hitting could well return.

I don't see how it helps the situation to start from scratch by making him a catcher now. There's no reason for it. If his good hitting returns, there will be a spot for him someplace defensively.

TC81190 · 10-08-2009, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kc61

I think it is a bad idea to make Soto a catcher.

Soto had a disappointing season. He hasn't hit for power, doesn't walk, and this year didn't have his usual good BA. But he played in a tough hitter's league and was young for the level.

No reason to make panic moves with this kid, who probably never caught an inning in his life. Let him work on his hitting. That high average hitter we saw in the lower minors may reappear. With maturity and, perhaps in a more hitting friendly league, his knack for hitting could well return.

I don't see how it helps the situation to start from scratch by making him a catcher now. There's no reason for it. If his good hitting returns, there will be a spot for him someplace defensively.

I don't want to the Reds to operate under the old plan of "if you can hit, we'll find a place for you." I want them to field a competent defensive team.

Having said that, if Soto could catch, he'd have a lot more value there than as the COF/CIF he is right now.

10-07-2009, 03:42 PM	#1
New Fever Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Memphis Posts: 754	Neftali Soto, Catcher? From the BA Florida State League chat: Deywane (Memphis): What happened to Neftali Soto, is he still a prospect? J.J. Cooper: Still a prospect, but less of one then he was a year ago. He has good hand-eye coordination and plus power but his lack of first-step quickness means he's not a third baseman long term. And some opposing managers and scouts were not impressed with the effort he put out. I wouldn't be shocked to see the Reds try him at catcher where he may profile better

10-07-2009, 03:45 PM	#3
BaseClogger WOOOOO!!! Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Midland, MI Posts: 6,078	Re: Neftali Soto, Catcher? I like it... __________________ "On-base percentage is great if you can score runs and do something with that on-base percentage," Baker said. "Clogging up the bases isn't that great to me."

10-07-2009, 04:00 PM	#4
Spazzrico Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 375	Re: Neftali Soto, Catcher? Could the NL Central handle two Soto's at catcher???? Inquiring minds want to know.

10-07-2009, 04:19 PM	#5
cincyinco We are the angry mob Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: The 303 Posts: 2,479	Re: Neftali Soto, Catcher? This is the knock I've had about soto all along. He's not a 3b from all accounts, even more so this year. That being the case, I always said that put a huge question mark on his value as a prospect. I figured they would move him off 3b which would put a ding in his overall worth. But.. I never seriously considered him at catcher. If he could catch, its conceivable his value could actually go up. Intresting for sure.. __________________ "I hate to advocate chemicals, alcohol, violence or insanity to anyone... But they've always worked for me." -Hunter S. Thompson

10-07-2009, 04:34 PM	#6
redhawk61 Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Cincinnati Posts: 1,064	Re: Neftali Soto, Catcher? Enter pro ball as a SS, ending up a C....but I like it

10-07-2009, 04:42 PM	#7
lollipopcurve Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Shelburne Falls, MA Posts: 9,484	Re: Neftali Soto, Catcher? It's more than the stick, though. You gotta have the defense and a leadership mentality. Soto brings questions on both fronts. __________________ "Baseball is a very, very complex business. It's more of a people business than most businesses." - Bob Castellini

10-07-2009, 05:55 PM	#9
fearofpopvol1 Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: New York, NY Posts: 8,634	Re: Neftali Soto, Catcher? i think this would be a very smart move.

10-07-2009, 06:05 PM	#10
icehole3 Member Join Date: May 2000 Posts: 3,029	Re: Neftali Soto, Catcher? what about Cisco at catcher?

10-07-2009, 09:16 PM	#13
TC81190 Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 3,072	Re: Neftali Soto, Catcher? I like it, but isn't a little late for this idea to be put forth for Soto? __________________ I hope it's never sunny in Philly again.

10-07-2009, 09:28 PM	#14
Kc61 Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Posts: 10,847	Re: Neftali Soto, Catcher? I think it is a bad idea to make Soto a catcher. Soto had a disappointing season. He hasn't hit for power, doesn't walk, and this year didn't have his usual good BA. But he played in a tough hitter's league and was young for the level. No reason to make panic moves with this kid, who probably never caught an inning in his life. Let him work on his hitting. That high average hitter we saw in the lower minors may reappear. With maturity and, perhaps in a more hitting friendly league, his knack for hitting could well return. I don't see how it helps the situation to start from scratch by making him a catcher now. There's no reason for it. If his good hitting returns, there will be a spot for him someplace defensively. Last edited by Kc61; 10-07-2009 at 09:30 PM.

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