Jorge Soler Home Run & Major League Debut: Chicago Cubs Prospect Goes Deep in First Major League At-Bat [Watch]

By Paul John Rivera First Posted: Aug 28, 2014 12:48 PM EDT

Jorge Soler started his major league career with a bang after hitting a home run in his first at-bat during Chicago Cubs' 7-5 loss against the Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday at the Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati.

Soler gave Chicago a 2-0 lead with his solo home run in the second inning that reportedly traveled 423 feet to become the first Cubs batter to score a HR in his first at-bat in the major league. The 22-year-old also had an RBI single in the eighth inning to finish 2-for-4 in his debut.

"I feel real proud about it," Soler said on Wednesday via MLB.com. "All of my family was watching the game, especially my father here at the game. I feel real happy and proud that I did well today."

The Havana, Cuba native admitted that he felt a lot of pressure during his first at bat, especially after Luis Valbuena hit a solo homer before his turn. Soler is also aware that fellow prospect Javier Baez had an impressive first game for the Cubs, scoring a go-ahead homerun against Colorado in his MLB debut on Aug. 5.

"The first at-bat I was real tense. But when I hit a home run, well I knew (Luis Valbuena) had hit a home run in front of me, so I had to freeze in the moment," Soler said via Chicago Tribune.

Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein said that Soler was originally scheduled to make his debut in September, but they felt it was the right time to promote right fielder with just 30 games left this season.

"The key to the decision on Soler was the fact that he was going to be a September callup for us mainly because he needs the at-bats," Epstein said. "He missed significant time because of the hamstring injury. He needs to play, he needs to get the at-bats."

Soler, who is ranked as the team's fifth-best prospect, became the eighth Cubs player to make his debut this season after Baez, Arismendy Alcantara, Matt Szczur, Dallas Beeler, Kyle Hendricks, Neil Ramirez and Tsuyoshi Wada.