Geovany Soto is a former professional baseball player who played as a catcher in Major League Baseball (MLB) for over a decade. He was born on January 20, 1983, in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and grew up in Chicago, Illinois. Soto began his baseball career in high school, where he played for the Puerto Rican team in the 1999 Little League World Series.
Soto was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 11th round of the 2001 MLB draft. He made his MLB debut with the Cubs in 2005 and quickly established himself as a promising young player. In 2008, Soto had a breakout season, winning the National League Rookie of the Year award and helping the Cubs reach the playoffs.
Over the course of his career, Soto played for several teams, including the Cubs, Texas Rangers, Oakland Athletics, Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Angels, and the Puerto Rican national team. He was known for his strong arm, solid defensive skills, and ability to handle pitchers.
Soto's career was not without its challenges, however. He struggled with injuries and inconsistency at times, and was suspended for 50 games in 2013 for violating MLB's drug policy. Despite these setbacks, Soto remained a respected and valued player throughout his career.
In 2017, Soto announced his retirement from professional baseball. He finished his career with a .245 batting average, 105 home runs, and 412 runs batted in. Soto also played in two All-Star games and won a Gold Glove award in 2008.
Off the field, Soto was known for his charitable work and community involvement. He established the Geovany Soto Foundation, which supports youth baseball programs and other charitable causes in Puerto Rico and the United States.
Overall, Geovany Soto had a successful and memorable career in professional baseball. He was a talented player who made significant contributions to the teams he played for, and was respected by his peers and fans alike.
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