Minor League Prospect Note: Jorge Soler, OF, Chicago Cubs

Chicago Cubs outfield prospect Jorge Soler had a terrific game yesterday for the Peoria Chiefs in the Low-A Midwest League, going 4-for-5 with a double, a homer , two RBI, and a stolen base against Wisconsin. He's played six games for Peoria so far, going 9-for-23 (.391) with a pair of home runs. Overall, between Peoria and the Arizona Rookie League Cubs, Soler is hitting .286/.360/.494 with four homers, 18 RBI, eight walks, and 16 strikeouts in 77 at-bats. He has also stolen nine bases in nine attempts, and has played errorless (and assist-less) ball in right field.

The Cubs gave the 20-year-old Cuban defector a nine-year contract worth almost $30,000,000 this spring. So far, the scouting reports from pro ball are the same as scouting reports from before he signed: he's got prototype right field tools with premium strength, power, and a plus throwing arm. He uses his speed very well, but his hitting approach is raw and we'll need to see how his batting average/OBP hold up against better pitching. So far, nothing he's done contradicts any of that. The sample is small, of course, but it dovetails with the scouting reports perfectly.

Rating-wise, I have him as a tentative strong Grade B (high ceiling, high risk) but that could go up to B+ depending on how the season ends and what more detailed reports say. I would currently put him at Number Two in the Cubs system behind Javier Baez.