Michael Soroka looks like a completely new pitcher this spring
Michael Soroka has had a crazy journey to the Washington Nationals. I wrote about that earlier this month. However, after two dominant Spring Training starts, it is time to write about his stuff and how he can have a massive impact on the field for the Nats.
In seven spring training innings, Soroka has allowed one run while punching out nine. The eye test might be even more impressive than the numbers. He looks like a dominant pitcher, ready to burst onto the scene.
Soroka has a history of being a dominant pitcher in the past, with an All-Star game and top 6 Cy Young finish in his resume. In 2019, the then 21 year old Soroka looked like an ace of the future for the Braves. We know the talent is in there, just after so many injuries there was a question of if he will ever get back to those 2019 levels.
However, it would be wrong to say that Soroka is back to the same pitcher he was in 2019. He has evolved since that time. Soroka was a sinker-baller in 2019, throwing the pitch 45% of the time.
Now he is throwing his four-seam fastball more than ever and at a higher velocity than ever. After averaging 93.2 MPH last year, he has been sitting 95 MPH this spring. Stuff models have also been big fans of Soroka’s work this spring. Eno Saris’ stuff+ model has graded Soroka as the third nastiest pitcher this spring behind Blake Snell and Gavin Williams.
Of course stuff isn’t everything, but it makes life a lot easier. While Soroka had some walk problems last season, he had pinpoint command in his Atlanta days. His control issues could just be from a lack of action. Due to all his injuries, Soroka had only pitched 46 MLB innings from 2020-2023. He has only walked one batter this spring.
Now Soroka looks all the way back and ready to be the pitcher he knows he can be. It really looks like Michael Soroka can be a genius piece of business for Mike Rizzo. There are also so many options for his future. He is only 27, so if he pitches well enough, it could make sense to lock him up and make him part of the young core.
However, if the Nats are out of the race and are yet again looking to sell at the trade deadline, Soroka could be an intriguing piece for contenders. And who knows, the Nats could just bring him back if they want to. That is what the Tigers did with Jack Flaherty, another pitcher who had a big 2019, but had faced bumps in the road since.
It is possible that Soroka could be this years Jack Flaherty. If so, it could be great for the Nats. Hopefully it works out like it did for the Tigers, who traded the right hander for a top 100 prospect before making the playoffs anyway and bringing Flaherty back. Michael Soroka has been the best Nationals pitcher this spring and has given me a ton of optimism.