The Braves find themselves in need of pitching this offseason—both starters and relievers—which led some to speculate about a potential reunion with Michael Soroka as a low-risk, high-reward option. However, Soroka’s path has taken him elsewhere, as he signed a one-year, $9 million deal with the Washington Nationals, per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.
Soroka’s journey since leaving Atlanta has been turbulent. After being traded to the Chicago White Sox last offseason, he struggled mightily as a starter, posting a 6.39 ERA and an alarming 6.76 FIP over his first nine starts. His inability to generate swings and misses led to opponents recording an .856 OPS against him.
The White Sox eventually moved him to the bullpen, where Michael Soroka began to reinvent himself. He shifted away from his trademark sinker, instead relying on a fastball-slider mix that produced far better results.
“But once he moved to relief, the sinker dropped to 11%, with the four-seamer (43%) and slider (41%) taking precedence. And in those three September games, things really accelerated: 55% four-seamers, 44% sliders, and one single changeup. He was a two-pitch pitcher. The formerly prominent sinker? Nowhere to be found. Not even one,” wrote Mike Petriello for MLB.com.
The adjustment paid off. Over 16 appearances out of the bullpen, Michael Soroka posted a 2.75 ERA and an identical 2.75 FIP. His strikeout numbers were particularly impressive—60 batters over 36 innings—compared to just 24 strikeouts across 43.2 innings as a starter.
At just 27 years old, Michael Soroka has an opportunity to continue rebuilding his career with the Nationals, where he could contribute as either a starter or reliever. His impressive turnaround in the bullpen caught Washington’s attention, and the team clearly sees untapped potential in his revamped approach.
For Braves fans, Soroka’s journey evokes a mix of admiration and bittersweet emotion. A fan favorite during his time in Atlanta, Soroka has faced significant adversity, from major injuries to being traded and nearly watching his career unravel. Despite joining a division rival, Braves Country will undoubtedly cheer for his success, as few players deserve another chance as much as Soroka.
—
Photo: Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire
You must log in to post a comment.