Chicago Cubs: Kris Bryant is the Cubs’ greatest rookie

Sep 3, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Chicago White Sox catcher

(58) in the first inning against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Geovany Soto, 2008

.285 AVG/.364 OBP/.504 SLG

It’s pretty hard to make a case that any Cub ROY had a better campaign than Kris Bryant. But, one could, at least, present an argument for catcher Geovany Soto.

While Bryant hit more homers and knocked in more runs, Soto’s 2008 season tops Bryant in batting average, doubles and, surprisingly, slugging percentage.

Soto was a highly touted rookie in his own right back in 2008. His success at the major league level was not altogether surprising. And Cubs fans were hopeful that their club had the next great offensive catcher.

However, Soto proved inconsistent the next several seasons. He followed up his wonderful rookie campaign by hitting .218 with diminished power numbers in 2009.

He rebounded in 2010, only to regress again in 2011. By 2012, the Cubs had decided that a change of scenery would be in Soto’s best interest and traded him to Texas Rangers for some low-level prospects.

While Soto has hung around the major leagues, he has yet to live into the potential he showed in 2008, making his rookie season his best at the major league level.