Scouting Grades: Fastball: 60 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 60 | Overall: 55
Taken out of the high school ranks of Calgary in the first round of the 2015 Draft, Soroka used his combination of size, stuff and uncanny command to get to the big leagues less than three years after being drafted. He looked like he was cementing his place in the Braves rotation when he went down in June with a shoulder issue. While he didn't return to competitive action, he was throwing at full strength in the fall and will be ready to go full-throttle in 2019.
Soroka typically throws his heavy sinking fastball in the 93-94 mph range. Though he can reach back for more, he's more than happy to pitch to contact early in counts and get groundball outs. He can alter how he throws his breaking ball, making it look like a sharp slider or more of a power curve when he wants to. His changeup has improved as well and gives him three at least above-average pitches, all of which he uses to fill the strike zone consistently.
Still only 21 years old, Soroka is just about ready to jump off of prospect lists. Assuming health, he should have every chance to make a big impact on the Braves rotation in 2019. Seeing him plant himself as the No. 3 on that talented staff is close to becoming a reality. Statcast - Pitching Season Pitches Batted Balls Barrels Barrel % Exit Velocity Launch Angle XBA XSLG WOBA XWOBA XWOBACON Hard Hit % K % BB % 2018 405 85 5 5.9 88.5 6.0 .283 .426 .322 .326 .378 35.3 18.6 6.2 2019 2557 510 26 5.1 87.0 5.5 .264 .395 .272 .304 .353 37.5 20.3 5.8 ALL 2962 595 31 5.2 87.2 5.6 .266 .399 .279 .307 .357 37.2 20.0 5.9 MLB 40553 6.3 87.5 11.2 .251 .412 .317 .318 .371 34.5 21.7 8.3 Rankings Hit By Pitch Year HBP Rank 2019 7 21st in NL Batting Average Year AVG Rank 2019 .236 17th in NL Earned Run Average Year ERA Rank 2019 2.68 3rd in NL Innings Pitched Year IP Rank 2019 174.2 20th in NL Wins Year Wins Rank 2019 13 10th in NL WHIP Year WHIP Rank 2019 1.11 11th in NL Transactions Team Date Transaction 04/18/2019 Atlanta Braves recalled RHP Mike Soroka from Gwinnett Stripers. 03/20/2019 Atlanta Braves optioned RHP Mike Soroka to Gwinnett Stripers. 10/31/2018 Mike Soroka roster status changed by Atlanta Braves. 06/27/2018 Atlanta Braves transferred RHP Mike Soroka from the 10-day disabled list to the 60-day disabled list. Right shoulder inflammation. 06/22/2018 Atlanta Braves placed RHP Mike Soroka on the 10-day disabled list retroactive to June 20, 2018. Right shoulder inflammation. 06/13/2018 Atlanta Braves activated RHP Mike Soroka from the 10-day disabled list. 06/05/2018 Atlanta Braves sent RHP Mike Soroka on a rehab assignment to Gwinnett Stripers. 05/30/2018 Atlanta Braves sent RHP Mike Soroka on a rehab assignment to Rome Braves. 05/17/2018 Atlanta Braves placed RHP Mike Soroka on the 10-day disabled list retroactive to May 14, 2018. Right shoulder strain. 05/01/2018 Atlanta Braves selected the contract of RHP Mike Soroka from Gwinnett Stripers. 04/05/2018 RHP Mike Soroka assigned to Gwinnett Stripers. 01/26/2018 Atlanta Braves invited non-roster RHP Mike Soroka to spring training. 04/04/2017 RHP Mike Soroka assigned to Mississippi Braves from Rome Braves. 04/04/2016 RHP Mike Soroka assigned to Rome Braves from GCL Braves. 09/01/2015 RHP Mike Soroka assigned to GCL Braves from Danville Braves. 07/28/2015 RHP Mike Soroka assigned to Danville Braves from GCL Braves. 07/08/2015 RHP Mike Soroka assigned to GCL Braves. 07/07/2015 Atlanta Braves signed RHP Mike Soroka.
