Soto, Napoli 2008

[whoseyourdaddy12]

Geovany Soto and Mike Napoli are both good sleepers at catcher, and both have power. Who do you guys like more, Soto or Napoli?

[Scooter1027]

Hmm, good question. I think I like Napoli more. For some reason I feel he's the safer bet. I look at him and say, at the very least, this guy's gonna get me some power numbers. When you're talking about catchers beyond the top tier or two, getting excellent production for any one category can make him worth having.

Soto's more of a question mark. I feel his 54 successful big league ABs this year are going to leave him overrated going into 2008. His minor league track record scares me -- he really didn't produce until his 3rd go-round in AAA. But, some guys just take longer to flip the switch, so to speak. It's quite possible he ironed something out and turned a corner. I'd like to have him, especially over some of the other later round catcher options, but I have a feeling he'll go a little earlier than he maybe should.

[acsguitar]

Personally I like Soto...Napoli's been on the radar for a few years now though.

Wrigley can help put up some big numbers

[Omaha Red Sox]

Personally I like Soto...Napoli's been on the radar for a few years now though.

Wrigley can help put up some big numbers

I think he'll bust.

[kab21]

I like Napoli here because he'll still be on the waiver wire. Soto would be a good sleeper if he was still a sleeper, but he's on just about everybody's radar and will get drafted before I'll take him (in most cases). My sleeper is JR Towles from Houston. I think he'll actually have a better season than Soto and won't get drafted before the 20th round or be on the waiver wire.

[Scooter1027]

Personally I like Soto...Napoli's been on the radar for a few years now though.

Wrigley can help put up some big numbers

I think he'll bust.

For what it's worth, Bill James and CHONE project the following:

Napoli

Bill James -- .238 AVG, 19 HR, 58 RBI, 61 R, 7 SB
CHONE -- .230 AVG, 15 HR, 42 RBI, 45 R, 5 SB

Soto

Bill James -- .291 AVG, 17 HR, 71 RBI, 55 R, 0 SB
CHONE -- .275 AVG, 17 HR, 59 RBI, 61 R, 0 SB

So, other than SB, both systems clearly favor Soto. They also both assume that Napoli gets under 400 AB -- maybe some Angel fans can shed light on this. Are there playing time concerns, or are both systems worried about injury?

I just have a hard time projecting Soto, I think there's big "bust" potential (like OMR said). He's logged exactly one minor league season with an .750+ OPS, which happened to be in 2007 during this third season in AAA. But, it was insanely good (1.076 OPS), and he continued it during 54 ABs in the bigs. So I don't know what to think. Ultimately I feel he'll get taken before I'd be comfortable grabbing him, whereas I think Napoli will present much better value. I think a healthy season definitely should allow him to hit 20+ HR easily.

[Omaha Red Sox]

Personally I like Soto...Napoli's been on the radar for a few years now though.

Wrigley can help put up some big numbers

I think he'll bust.

For what it's worth, Bill James and CHONE project the following:

Napoli

Bill James -- .238 AVG, 19 HR, 58 RBI, 61 R, 7 SB
CHONE -- .230 AVG, 15 HR, 42 RBI, 45 R, 5 SB

Soto

Bill James -- .291 AVG, 17 HR, 71 RBI, 55 R, 0 SB
CHONE -- .275 AVG, 17 HR, 59 RBI, 61 R, 0 SB

So, other than SB, both systems clearly favor Soto. They also both assume that Napoli gets under 400 AB -- maybe some Angel fans can shed light on this. Are there playing time concerns, or are both systems worried about injury?

I just have a hard time projecting Soto, I think there's big "bust" potential (like OMR said). He's logged exactly one minor league season with an .750+ OPS, which happened to be in 2007 during this third season in AAA. But, it was insanely good (1.076 OPS), and he continued it during 54 ABs in the bigs. So I don't know what to think. Ultimately I feel he'll get taken before I'd be comfortable grabbing him, whereas I think Napoli will present much better value. I think a healthy season definitely should allow him to hit 20+ HR easily.

Just giving acs a hard time. I traded Soto to him a couple weeks ago.

[Scooter1027]

Just giving acs a hard time. I traded Soto to him a couple weeks ago.

Oh, haha, I wondered what the smiley meant. All kidding aside, I agreed with you, I think he is a bust candidate.

[High Heater]

i'd rather take a chance on salty or clement then any of those 2.

i never understood why napoli gets some recognition he really just has power and no average.

[J35J]

I like Napoli here because he'll still be on the waiver wire. Soto would be a good sleeper if he was still a sleeper, but he's on just about everybody's radar and will get drafted before I'll take him (in most cases). My sleeper is JR Towles from Houston. I think he'll actually have a better season than Soto and won't get drafted before the 20th round or be on the waiver wire.

Not sure this is the case anymore....whenever I hear Soto's name I hear Towles get mentioned shortly after. I'd be surprised if they didn't get drafted almost as the same time! With that said, I'm with you in that I like Towles more than Soto but I really wouldn't want either as my starter in a 12 team mixed league. But i'd love to have either of them as my backup!!