21-year-old, $30 million prospect Jorge Soler of the Daytona Cubs was involved in an incident in the Single-A Florida State League with Phillies affiliate Clearwater Threshers last evening that seems to warrant a mention, per Bleed Cubbie Blue.
February 25, 2013; Glendale, AZ, USA; Chicago Cubs right fielder Jorge Soler (68) in the dugout before a spring training game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Camelback Ranch. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports
After a bang-bang play at second in which he felt wronged by Threshers’ second baseman Edgar Alonso, Soler and Alonso argued until both benches cleared and everybody got really serious. No one took any action, though, and the situation simmered down after teammate Javier Baez and coach Marinao Duncan pulled him away. Soler apparently thought he was stepped on.
Afterward, Soler had clearly not attained a sense of closure on the incident, grabbed a bat, and sprinted meaningfully for the Threshers’ dugout. He was stopped before anyone got hurt.
"“Daytona manager Dave Keller told the News Journal those few seconds were ‘kind of like a nightmare.'”—Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune"
He never actually got to swing the bat before his teammates were on him, and obviously, the league and/or team will be invoking repercussions. Though a Cubs writer had one thoughtful suggestion.
Cubs still looking into Soler incident. Apparently he challenged a whole team to come fight him. Bring him up! http://t.co/5AvI82Zerg
— Paul Sullivan (@PWSullivan) April 11, 2013
When pressed for comment, Delmon Young shook his head and muttered, “That’s why I always go with the long range attack.”