Last night during the re-ranking of MLB.com’s Top 100 Jorge Soler was once again criticized on the basis of not enough “consistent effort” and because his “makeup has been questioned.”
Inconsistent effort, eh? Let’s look at that closely.
Soler went on the disabled list almost right away this year, rehabbed, came back, went back on the DL after a week, rehabbed again, and due to the lack of effort he put into that rehab and into preparing for his eventual return, he was only mediocre when he returned to Double A and posted fairly pedestrian numbers.
Actually, that didn’t happen.
He came back to Double A and posted ludicrous and ridiculous numbers, including a line of .415/.494/.862. Let me be extremely clear here: according to his critics, Soler was able to undergo a lengthy and somewhat unusual rehab in Arizona, play in a few games in the Rookie League, and return to Double A effectively stone cold only to produce amazing results despite showing “inconsistent effort”. So what do they expect when he is actually trying all the time? That he rescues homeless kittens in between at bats?
Anyone who honestly believes that Soler is not trying on the diamond, is not working at his game, is lazy, or has been inconsistent in his effort should instantly be rating Soler as the best prospect in baseball and one of the best in history due to the results he has produced despite that significant limitation. You cannot have it both ways. Either Soler has in fact absolutely worked his tail off to come back and perform as he has, or he is such a fantastically talented baseball player that he is able to post extreme levels of success despite an inconsistent effort. There is not much of a middle ground.
That said, I do think ranking Soler where MLB did (#54) could be fair for other reasons. His repeat hamstring issues are a concern, and while I happen to love his approach at the plate I can appreciate that others may not like what they see in that department. Plus, as a right fielder, his defensive value isn’t as high as some other players and that could push him down the list. I think #54 is low (as you will see when the new Top 40 hits), but it is defensible.
Using concerns over this alleged lack of effort is not defensible, however. That myth (based primarily on 2013 AFL scouting when the Cubs had explicitly told Soler to take it easy) needs to die, and it needs die now.
Scores From The Weekend
Friday’s scores can be found here.
Scores from Saturday can be found here.
And if you click here, you will find Sunday’s results.
Other Notes