Isael Soto’s Powerful Revelation

Isael Soto (Photo by Cliff Welch)

MIAMI—Right fielder Isael Soto was 7 years old when he realized he had home-run power.

The Dominican Republic native was playing baseball on the street when he launched a homer that sailed over a house.

“The other boys got mad because we couldn’t find the ball,” said Soto, 19, “and we didn’t have another one.”

Before that moment, Soto was often discouraged from playing by the older boys, who told him he was too small. But after that blast, they fought to have him on their team.

A dozen years later, the Marlins feel fortunate Soto is on their side. With the deadline trade of 2015 first-rounder Josh Naylor to the Padres as part of a package for veteran starter Andrew Cashner, Soto became the Marlins’ top power hope.

The 5-foot-11, 205-pound Soto missed three months in 2015 with a left-knee injury, but he remained healthy this season. In 113 games at low Class A Greensboro he hit .247/.320/.399 with nine home runs, five triples and 24 doubles.

“Soto has all the tools,” Greensboro manager Kevin Randel said. “He’s got to work on strike-zone judgment. We’re going to continue to pound him on that.”

A lefthanded hitter who signed as an international free agent in 2013, Soto rates his power equal to that of Naylor and said he is happy the Marlins have confidence in him.

Assistant farm director Brett West said trading Naylor was easier because the organization knew it still had Soto.

“Even though Soto was one of the youngest players in the South Atlantic League, he was an all-star this year,” West said. “Soto has every bit as much power as Naylor. We believe Naylor is a better overall hitter at this point, but Naylor has played a lot more baseball than Soto, who has flown under the radar.”

Soto believes he has to work on pitch recognition.

“I don’t have trouble with fastballs or changeups,” Soto said, “just sliders.”

FISH BITES

• Lefthander Braxton Garrett, the seventh overall pick in the draft this year, made his pro debut at instructional league. The Florence, Ala., prep signed at the July 15 deadline.

• Righthander Tyler Kolek, the second overall pick in 2014 who is recovering from Tommy John surgery, has begun throwing again. He, too, attended instructional league.