MVN: Most Valuable Network

The picture to the left says it all for any Cubs fan that's had the pleasure of viewing a game from behind the plate -- the catcher's perspective.

In previous years for the Cubs, that position has not been either A) stable or B) productive.

After 2008, that all changed. And Cubs fans everywhere will hope to see a jersey portraying "Soto 18" on its back behind the plate for many years to come.

The Cubs drafted Geovany Soto in the 11th round (318th overall) in the 2001 draft out of a Puerto Rico military academy. He signed June 26, 2001 as an 18-year-old corner infielder.

It wasn't until 2003, when he was playing for Daytona in the Florida State League, that he made the move to catcher. The development process began from there and -- to be cliche -- the rest is history.

From 2004-2006, while progressing as a hitter (although not showing much power), Soto became a defensive whiz for his pitchers. During those years, Baseball America rated Soto as the Cubs' No. 14, 16 and 17 prospect, respectively. Though his hitting still trailed the rest of his game, the Cubs organization liked Soto enough to make him a September callup in 2005 and 2006. While in the bigs, he became great friends with his now mentor, Henry Blanco.

As BA reported a few weeks ago:

"He's been my mentor since day one. He's always been helping me," Soto said. "When I was in the minor leagues and he was up here, I called him, 'What do you think about this situation?'"

It's impressed Blanco.

"To me, he doesn't look like a rookie," Blanco said. "He acts like a mature guy and realizes what's on his back. He has a lot of responsibility. I'm glad that he accepts that as a man, as a grown man, and keeps proving he is one of the best, one of the best in the league."

It's been reported that the Spring Training of 2007 is what changed Soto's career. He lost about 30 pounds off of his frame and became quicker with his hands through the zone. His work ethic translated better to the plate than anyone could have imagined. He hit .353 with 31 doubles, 26 home runs, 109 RBI and won the Pacific Coast League MVP award. His performance earned him his third Sept. callup where he hit .389 in 54 at-bats.

Before 2008 -- thanks to the three callups -- Soto had 80 career big-league at-bats, hitting .325 with 3 home runs and 10 RBI. His 2007 surged him to No. 2 in the Cubs' top prospect lists behind 2007 first-round third baseman, Josh Vitters. And talk before the latest season had him projected as a possible ROY candidate and a fantasy league sleeper. Eight months later and he's exceeded all expectations.

Soto is credited with much of the Cubs success in 2008 -- both offensively and defensively:

He's received praise for his work with the team's big three in the starting rotation -- Carlos Zambrano, Ted Lilly and Ryan Dempster. Kerry Wood's transition to closer and the productivity of Carlos Marmol and Jeff Samardzija can be attributed to Soto's work. And offensively, he hit .285/.364/.504 with 23 home runs, 35 doubles and 86 RBI, providing help for Aramis Ramirez and Derrek Lee.

And to think legitimate discussions were held all over the baseball world (like this one) before the year, debating the better catching prospect -- Soto or Houston's J.R. Towles.

If Soto were to win the MLB's official ROY award, he'd be the first Cubs player to do so since Wood, who earned the honor in 1998 after finishing 13-6 with a 3.40 ERA and 233 strike outs.

With that, I present MVN's 2008 NL Rookie of the Year award to Geovany Soto.