As I talked about earlier today, there’s a real chance we see Michael Soroka back in Atlanta to start on Wednesday in place of AJ Smith-Shawver, who was optioned back to Gwinnett.
The decision to move Smith-Shawver to AAA was not performance based. The Braves simply needed more relief arms after a grueling series with the Reds in which their starters did not give them many innings. However, it still opens up an opportunity for Soroka to return, who has been downright filthy again for the Stripers.
In Soroka’s last three starts since returning to Gwinnett, he’s allowed just three earned runs over 19 innings, capped off by a masterpiece his last time out. He came just one out shy of a seven-inning abbreviated no-hitter because it was apart of a doubleheader. It was undoubtedly the best start we’ve seen from him since returning from injury, and he deserves another crack with the major-league club.
As a result of the stellar performance, Soroka has been named the Pitcher of the Week in the International League.
Join us in congratulating Michael Soroka on winning International League Pitcher of the Week.
Read more: https://t.co/oVcYfzJ6rx pic.twitter.com/qMNZJV94BY
— Gwinnett Stripers (@GoStripers) June 26, 2023
Since returning this season, Soroka’s stuff has never been the issue. He’s spinning it in the mid-90s with movement, sometimes even looking filthier than he was back in 2019 when he was an All-Star and finished sixth in the NL Cy Young race.
It’s all about finding the control that made him one of the elite young talents in the league. Of late, he’s been much better in the department, and the results speak for themselves. Soroka still has the ability to be a key component to the Braves run at a World Series in 2023, and perhaps we see our first glimpse of that later this week against the Twins.
—
Photo: Zac BonDurant/Icon Sportswire
You must log in to post a comment.