Since I was traveling yesterday and had to miss the game, I was all the more interested in seeing highlights from the Cubs’ win over the Dodgers. To that end, one play I kept hearing about was Jorge Soler’s double to left, which wasn’t just any double to left. It was, apparently, a laser that was worth seeing. So I fired up MLB.tv, found the play, and sure enough, it’s pretty incredible.
Matt Clapp tweeted out a clip:
My goodness, Jorge Soler. https://t.co/pAa392TcF8 #Cubs
— Matt Clapp (@TheBlogfines) March 18, 2015
There is so much to like about that shot. First of all, Soler hits the ball so hard that, despite never quite leaving pure line drive level, it comes within a couple feet of leaving the park. Secondly, Soler hits the ball so hard that it reaches the wall in approximately two seconds. (360 feet in 2 seconds is about 123 miles per hour.)
Thirdly, despite hitting the ball that hard, and it being so close to a homer, Soler is booking it right out of the box. You can’t see it on the video there, but Soler ran so hard – good speed, too – that he made it to second standing up, despite a very quick play from the left fielder and a solid throw right to second.
Soler also did this in the game:
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I guess C.J. Edwards did give up some solid contact. Not the hardest play in the world for Soler, but he got a good, quick read and made a nice catch.
Oh, and what the heck – while we’re into Soler highlights from yesterday’s game, how about this single on a good, low-and-away pitch:
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Went down and got it without diving out too much, and put good wood on it. I like me some Soler today.