MLB Player News

Cubs outfielder Jorge Soler put together his third multi-hit game in a row to start his career Friday, in a 7-2 win over the Cardinals.

Soler went 3 for 3 with a walk, while clubbing two home runs and driving in three runs total. He has seven hits in his first three major-league games, including three home runs, while driving in six runs.  

As much as I wrote about Jorge Soler leading up to his promotion and the day it actually came, I'm at risk of beating a dead horse here, but now that he has a couple 2-for-4 games under his belt, I feel the need to reiterate: You want him in Fantasy.

Maybe in shallower leagues where every team starts just three outfielders and half the owners checked out at the All-Star break, allowing you to build up incomparable depth at the position, OK, you can let him go, but the impact he could make for you this time of year is worth the risk of him sputtering like so many of the high-profile hitter prospects who came before him this year.

And aside from George Springer, I'm not sure any of those prospects was as prepared for his promotion as Soler. True, he ascended the ladder quickly, collecting just 175 at-bats above high Class A, but he was no average minor-leaguer, having played at the highest level of Cuba. Once it clicked for him after a two-year adjustment period, the minor leagues couldn't hold him back. In terms of batting average, slugging percentage and OPS, he was neck-and-neck with Kris Bryant at the time of his promotion.

And unlike Springer, Jon Singleton, Javier Baez, his success wasn't accompanied by a worrisome strikeout rate. He'll strike out his fair share, like any young slugger, but it won't be the impediment it's been for them.

Cubs outfielder Jorge Soler hit a solo home run in his major-league debut Wednesday as the Cubs fell to the Reds, 7-5.

Soler went back-to-back with Luis Valbuena, driving a ball over the centerfield fence to cement a memorable debut. He finished the game 2 for 4 with two RBI.

Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner has taken the opportunity and run with it at the plate.

Turner has become an every-day player since mid-August and has hit safely in seven of his last eight games. He has 11 hits in 28 at-bats with seven RBI and five runs scored. His stat line on the season has improved to .316/.387/.442.

A rib ailment that knocked Pirates slugger Andrew McCutchen out of the Tuesday night game does not have him sidelined for the Wednesday afternoon game against visiting St. Louis. He is in the lineup.

McCutchen sustained the injury crashing into the wall in the third inning, though he remained in the game for a while. His hitless performance ended a strong stretch in which he slugged seven hits, including three home runs, in the previous four games.

Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen was removed from Tuesday's game due to left rib discomfort, the team announced.

McCutchen crashed into the wall while making a play in the third inning and remained in for a few innings before coming out. He finished 0 for 3 at the plate and will be re-evaluated Wednesday.

If you feel like you've gotten burned with Jon Singleton, Oscar Taveras and Gregory Polanco already (though Polanco, I'd argue, gave you everything you could have wanted for all but his last two weeks on the job), you may be reluctant to take a flier on Jorge Soler, who's supposed to join the Cubs in Cincinnati Tuesday.

But he's worth it, for the reasons I spell out in my latest post to the Fantasy Baseball Today blog and more.

You could argue any prospect of his caliber is worth it, but I want to use this space to emphasize just what caliber of prospect he is. We weren't so sure coming into the season. He spent much of last year injured and tinkering with his swing. But for all the hype Kris Bryant has gotten, Soler actually has a higher batting average and slugging percentage between the same two levels of competition this year. And he heads to the majors on a high note, batting .625 (10 for 16) with three homers in his last four games.

Maybe he makes a big splash in September; maybe he doesn't. But surely this time of year, you'll want to be the one who capitalizes if he does.

Marlins outfielder Giancarlo Stanton 1 for 3 with two walks and a three-run home run in his team's 7-1 victory over the Angels Monday.

The National League home-run and RBI leader, Stanton is squarely in the middle of the MVP race, and his batting average is threatening to cross the .300 threshold for the first time since the All-Star break. He owns a .299/.407/.566 line with 33 home runs and 97 RBI in 482 at-bats.

Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen belted his 20th home run Monday against the Cardinals.

McCutchen struck in the ninth inning. He took a 94 mph fastball from Trevor Rosenthal out to left for a solo shot. McCutchen also singled twice earlier in the contest. He finished 3 for 4, with one run scored and one RBI. 

Cubs outfield prospect Jorge Soler will be called up Tuesday, according to CSNChicago.

Soler was pulled from Monday's Triple-A game, prompting speculation he would be coming up. Soler went 1 for 2, with a three-run homer during Monday's game. He's hit .278/.376/.593 over 108 at-bats in Triple-A.