Soler System

The beloved Chicago Cubs have not won a World Series in 108 years.  And they've been pretty dismal the last few years.  But with new management they've been developing their young players in the minors leagues, and have four of the top prospects in the top 25 of all of baseball.  They're known in Chicago as "the core four," and the team has slowly brought a few of them up to the majors in these last few weeks of the season, just to give them a taste.

Three weeks ago, I posted a video here of one of them, Javier Baez, who in his first game with Chicago, won the extra inning game with a home run.  He hasn't adjusted exceedingly well yet since there, though does already have an impressive seven home runs.

Last night, the Cubs brought up another of the four, Jorge Soler, from Cuba.  He made his debut in Cincinnati, starting in right field.  This is his first at bat ever in the major leagues.  And on the fourth pitch, and his first swing, this is what happened.

What I love is how he races around the bases.  And has a joyous smile on his face.  No attitude, no posturing, just playing ball.  And I love too how thrilled his teammates are in the dugout.  Usually, veterans give rookies the a joking cold shoulder on their first home run, only to turn around later with congratulations.  But there is no hiding the excitement the Cubs players feel, knowing that this could actually be part of their future.