Cubs outfielder Jorge Soler said he's grown as a player ever since his bat-wielding incident last year in the Florida State League (Class A). Although he never swung the bat at anyone, Soler still served a five-game suspension because he charged an opposing team's dugout with a bat in his hand.
"You have to respect baseball and my teammates," Soler said through a translator Wednesday, per ESPN. "It was a big mistake that I made. But I learned from it."
It's more than just words from Soler. Cubs manager Rick Renteria said Soler gives off a "very calm" demeanor.
"It doesn't look like pressure affects him very much," Renteria said. "From what I've seen he's very composed."
Aside from the suspension, Soler also missed a great deal of time in 2013 due to a stress fracture in his left leg. He's looking forward to putting the '13 season behind him and focusing on his future.
"It was a rough year," Soler said. "But I'm working hard to be better. I'm in good shape. I've been running a lot. I have no soreness or anything. Everything is 100 percent."