Texas Rangers Spring Training Preview – Who’s catching

Geovany Soto

Sep 28, 2012; Arlington, TX, USA; Los Angeles Angels center fielder

(27) is tagged out at home plate by Texas Rangers catcher Geovany Soto (8) in the third inning at Rangers Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

The Texas Rangers decided to keep Geovany Soto this past offseason by giving him a one year contract worth $3.05 million, which was just slightly more than he made in 2013.

Soto did have a pretty good year behind the plate for a catcher with a batting line of .245/.328/.466/.794.  He had 9 doubles, 9 home runs and 22 RBI.  Last season Soto started getting more playing time after A.J. Pierzynski and Yu Darvish had a heated discussion on the mound.   After that incident, Soto caught for Darvish from that point on.

After he was signed for the 2014 year, Jon Daniels announced that Soto would be the primary catcher for 2014.

"“We signed him with the expectation that he will be our regular, our primary catcher in 2014,” general manager Jon Daniels said. “I think we’ve got a lot of Rangers pitchers who are going to be very happy about that.” (John Boarman -Fox Sports)"

Between Arencibia and Soto, Soto is the easy choice to be their primary catcher.  Soto has been consistent over the years, and he does call a good game.  He has earned the trust of the Rangers ace Yu Darvish.

"“Geo knows our pitching staff and our pitchers love him,” Daniels said. “He gets a lot out of our guys. The staff has a lot of confidence in him. He’s a young guy still in his prime.” (T.R. Sullivan – MLB.com)"

Overall, that is probably the most important aspect of being a catcher, the ability to manage the pitchers and the game.

"“Working with pitchers is really important to me,” Soto said. “I know each and every one of these guys. I think I have the ability to get into a pitcher’s head. I don’t know what it is, but guys tell me I can get to the point of understanding them and get them to go the extra mile. I think this pitching staff is going to blossom like never before.” (T.R. Sullivan – MLB.com)"

Soto has proven he is able to call a good game and he has the ability to do the job behind the plate when it comes to fielding.