CHICAGO -- Geovany Soto could only watch as some of his Triple-A Iowa teammates and some Double-A buddies were promoted to the Cubs last season. The catcher didn't get called up until Sept. 1, but, if all goes as planned, Soto will be in the Majors to stay in 2008.

Soto is projected as the Cubs' starting catcher this year. Even though the rookie backstop, who turns 25 on Jan. 20, was a late addition to the big league roster in '07, he started two of the three National League Division Series games against Arizona, getting the call over veteran Jason Kendall. Soto had one hit in six at-bats, a two-run homer in the second inning of Game 2.

Soto was picked in hopes of keeping the speedy Diamondbacks from running. Kendall had thrown out two of 52 potential basestealers, and Soto had a much better success ratio. In the end, Arizona's running game didn't hurt the Cubs, who were swept, but Chicago's feeble .194 average did.

Soto showed plenty of offense last season, too, batting .353 in 110 games, with 26 homers, 31 doubles and a league-leading 109 RBIs to be named Pacific Coast League MVP. Mike Harkey, who was Iowa's pitching coach, watched Soto improve as the season progressed, and said he was "100 times more polished" by September.

"The growth he's had this year has been tremendous," Harkey said. "What's hard for young catchers is to put both hitting and catching together at the same time. I think the fact that offensively, he's as solid as anybody can be at Triple-A, he still made great strides in calling the game. Either he hits or he catches, and he did both."

When Soto wasn't playing, he talked to Harkey on the bench about how to handle pitchers.

"He takes the fact that a pitcher isn't doing well very personally -- he thinks it's his fault," Harkey said. "One of the things I've tried to get across to him is try not to get creative with guys who don't have the kind of stuff to be creative. Evaluate them first and foremost with fastball command. If they have fastball command, you can be creative."

Harkey, now on the Yankees' coaching staff, said Soto could be a perfect fit for the Cubs.

"This is actually a good team for him to come up on because there's not a lot of pressure for him to call games," Harkey said. "He's got a lot of veteran pitchers here who have enough confidence in calling their own game."

Chicago Cubs • Catchers: Soto ready to take reins • Corner IF: Cornerstones of offense • Middle IF: Nothing certain up middle • Outfielders: New look near the ivy • Starters: Top of rotation is set • Bullpen: Three-way closer competition • Bench: Seeking more punch

What impressed Harkey even more was Soto's attitude when others around him were being promoted to the big league team. Soto didn't sulk.

"He was disappointed, but if he wasn't disappointed, then we would be disappointed," Harkey said. "You're supposed to be disappointed when guys are passing you by.

"[Being passed over] actually helped [Soto], because he was able to be the everyday catcher, and he almost won the batting title," Harkey said. "It was a quality year all the way around as far as his growth as a professional baseball player."

Expect Soto to show up in shape. He arrived in spring camp last February about 20 pounds lighter. Carlos Zambrano made a bet with the young catcher as to who would have the lowest body fat (Soto won by about two-tenths of a percent). Pitchers Kerry Wood and Ryan O'Malley helped Soto with his eating habits. Veteran backstop Henry Blanco, projected as the Cubs' No. 2 catcher this season, taught Soto how to condition himself for a Major League season.

"This is a guy who's going to be good," Blanco said of Soto in September. "He showed he can do it. I'm happy to help him out, and hopefully next year he'll stay with the team and play every day. He just has to keep working hard and do his thing."

Blanco was limited to 22 games last season because of a cervical herniated disc, but did play this winter for Caracas in Venezuela and batted .243 in 47 games. Other catchers who are non-roster invitees in the Cubs' camp this spring include Koyie Hill and JD Closser.

But it's Soto who will get the most time behind the plate.

"I see a kid here who could be the No. 1 catcher next spring," Cubs manager Lou Piniella said of Soto in September.

The kid's ready.

"I've been in this organization for seven years, and I think I've progressed every year, I've been doing better every year," Soto said. "I think I'm ready to play up here in the big leagues, and I hope they give me a chance."