Rafael Soriano

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75+1⁄3innings pitched. [3]

Soriano pitched for the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers of the Class A Midwest League in 2000. With Wisconsin, Soriano had an 8-4 win–loss record and a 2.87 ERA. [3] The Mariners optioned him to the San Bernardino Stampede of the Class A-Advanced California League the next year. [5] He was promoted to the San Antonio Missions of the Class AA Texas League later in the season. [6] Between San Bernardino and San Antonio, Soriano pitched to a 2.82 ERA with 151 strikeouts in 137+1⁄3 innings in 2001. [3]

Before the 2002 season, Baseball America ranked Soriano the 30th best prospect in baseball. [7] However, his arrival in the United States was delayed for three months due to difficulty securing a visa. [3] Soriano made his major league debut with the Mariners on May 10, 2002, recording a save in the game. [8] After making his second relief appearance, the Mariners added Soriano to the team's starting rotation. [9] Teammate Freddy García nicknamed Soriano "El Silencioso", meaning "The Silent One", for his propensity to retreat from his teammates, speaking only to family by phone. [1] After pitching in ten games for the Mariners, pitching to a 0–3 win–loss record with a 4.56 ERA in 47+1⁄3, Soriano went on the disabled list with a sore shoulder on July 10. When the Mariners activated him in August, they optioned him to San Antonio. [10] Soriano spent the rest of the season in San Antonio, where he focused on improving his changeup and slider. [11]

Going into the 2003 season, Baseball America rated Soriano the 27th best prospect in baseball. [7] He competed for a spot in the Mariners' starting rotation during spring training. [11] He started the season with the Tacoma Rainiers of the Class AAA Pacific Coast League. After an effective 2003 season, Soriano suffered a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow, and underwent Tommy John surgery on August 17, 2004. [12]

Soriano returned to the Majors on September 10, 2005. Soriano suffered a concussion on August 29, 2006, after being struck behind the ear by a line drive hit from Angels slugger Vladimir Guerrero. [13] [14] He was released from the hospital the following afternoon. [15]

Soriano pitching for the Braves in May 2007 RafaelSoriano.JPG
Soriano pitching for the Braves in May 2007

Atlanta Braves

Soriano was traded to the Atlanta Braves from the Mariners on December 7, 2006, in exchange for left-handed pitcher Horacio Ramírez. [16] In an offseason article, ESPN explained why they believed that Soriano was a significantly better player than Ramirez. Soriano had a mixed bag of success and disappointment in his first season in Atlanta, primarily serving as the setup man to closer Bob Wickman. Soriano became the Braves closer after Wickman was designated for assignment in August. He earned his first save since May 10 on August 30.

Soriano was suspended for four games on September 20 after hitting Dan Uggla with a pitch. [17] The suspension was reduced to two games after appeal. [18] He finished his first season as a Brave with a 3–3 record and 3.00 ERA. Soriano signed a two-year contract with the Braves worth US$9 million on January 24, 2008. [19]

That offseason, the Braves offered Soriano arbitration, expecting that he would decline and test free agency. However, Soriano surprised the Braves and accepted arbitration. The Braves then traded Soriano to the Tampa Bay Rays on December 10, 2009, for Jesse Chavez. [20]

Tampa Bay Rays

Soriano during his tenure with the Rays in 2010 DSC 9851 Rafael Soriano.jpg
Soriano during his tenure with the Rays in 2010

Soriano won the Delivery Man of the Month Award for May 2010, [21] and July 2010, becoming the first pitcher to earn that honor twice in one season. [22] He won the award a third time for August 2010, joining Joe Nathan and Trevor Hoffman as the only three-time winners of the monthly award. [23] He was named to the 2010 Major League Baseball All-Star Game to replace an injured Mariano Rivera. [24]

On August 23, 2010, in the ninth inning of game against the Los Angeles Angels, Soriano threw an immaculate inning, striking out all three batters on nine total pitches. [25] He became the sixth major-league pitcher to record a save while doing so.[ citation needed ] Soriano led the American League in saves at the end of the 2010 season, with 45. Soriano finished eighth in the 2010 AL Cy Young Award voting.

New York Yankees

The Yankees signed Soriano to a three-year, $35 million contract on January 18, 2011. [26] Soriano was originally designated as the set-up pitcher to closer Mariano Rivera. [27] He picked up his first save as a Yankee against the Blue Jays on April 20, 2011. [28] He recorded his first loss, and gave up the tying and winning runs as a Yankee on April 26. [29] On July 30, Soriano pitched his first game since coming off the DL, throwing a scoreless 9th inning, striking out 2 in a 17–3 blowout win vs. the Baltimore Orioles.

Soriano had spent most of his Yankee career as the 7th inning pitcher in front of David Robertson and Rivera. After Rivera was injured for the 2012 season shagging fly balls at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Robertson was slated for the closer role and Soriano the 8th. After closing two games, Robertson himself was temporarily injured, allowing Soriano an opportunity to close again where he thrived, converting his first 12 straight save opportunities. He finished with 42 saves in 46 opportunities. Soriano opted out of the final year of his contract on October 31, 2012, making him a free agent. [30]

Washington Nationals

On January 15, 2013, Soriano and the Washington Nationals agreed to a $28 million, two-year contract, pending a physical. The deal came with a vesting option in 2015 if he finished 120 games. Only two active pitchers did that in the 2011-2012 combined seasons (Craig Kimbrel with 120 and José Valverde with 138). [31] [32] [33] The deal became official on January 17. [34] In 2013, Soriano recorded 43 saves with a 3.11 ERA, but blew a career high six saves. His strikeout rate fell from 9.2 in 2012 to 6.9 in 2013. Soriano's hits per nine innings also regressed, but not as severely. [35] Soriano's 2014 season began well, as he produced a 0.97 ERA in the first half. However, after the All Star break Soriano tallied a 6.98 ERA, before being removed from the closer role on September 9. [36]

Chicago Cubs

The Chicago Cubs signed Soriano to a minor league contract on June 9, 2015, with a prorated $2 million salary. [37] He was designated for assignment on September 1 and released on September 4.

Toronto Blue Jays

On February 28, 2016, Soriano signed a minor league contract with an invite to spring training with the Toronto Blue Jays. [38] Due to visa issues, he was unable to join the Blue Jays for spring training. On March 17, it was reported that Soriano had decided to retire. [39] Soriano made his retirement official on March 20. [40]

Pitching style

Soriano's primary pitch is a four-seam fastball in the 91-94 mph range. He pairs it with a sharp slider in the low-to-mid 80s. Although he used to fairly frequently throw a two-seam fastball and cut fastball, these pitches seem to have mostly disappeared from his repertoire by 2012. [41] He has been referred to as very "deliberate" with his pitching style. [ citation needed ]

Personal life

Soriano engages in charity work in his native Boca Chica. He has given money to children to receive surgery, and often buys Christmas presents for the local children. [1]

See also

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Arangure, Jorge (September 26, 2012). "Rafael Soriano's sensational present and mysterious future with the Yankees - MLB - ESPN". Espn.go.com. Retrieved September 26, 2012.
  2. 1 2 Warnick, Gene (August 9, 1999). "Yakima Bears -- Converted Outfielder Pitches Past Bears -- Soriano lowers stellar ERA in win over struggling Bears". Yakima Herald-Republic. Archived from the original on March 29, 2015. Retrieved September 26, 2012.(subscription required)
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 David Andriese (May 24, 2002). "Change of plans lands Soriano in the Show". seattlepi.com. Retrieved September 26, 2012.
  4. ↑ "NewsLibrary.com - newspaper archive, clipping service - newspapers and other news sources". Nl.newsbank.com. April 14, 2003. Retrieved September 26, 2012.
  5. ↑ "TRANSACTIONS - New York Times". The New York Times . March 14, 2001. Retrieved September 26, 2012.
  6. ↑ Scheide, Lee (August 3, 2001). "San Antonio Express-News, Archives | mySA.com". Nl.newsbank.com. Retrieved September 26, 2012.
  7. 1 2 "All-Time Top 100 Prospects". Baseball America. Retrieved April 23, 2012.
  8. ↑ Andriese, David (May 10, 2002). "M's snap Sox streak". seattlepi.com. Retrieved October 31, 2012.
  9. ↑ Hicke, John (May 19, 2002). "Mariners Notebook: Running for a reason". seattlepi.com. Retrieved October 31, 2012.
  10. ↑ "Mariners: Sasaki gets M's out of jam". The Spokesman Review. August 3, 2002. p. C5. Retrieved September 26, 2012.
  11. 1 2 Hicke, John (March 7, 2003). "Mariners Notebook: Soriano enters battle for final rotation spot". seattlepi.com. Retrieved October 31, 2012.
  12. ↑ Street, Jim (August 17, 2004). "Notes: No surgery for Guardado". MLB.com . Archived from the original on June 17, 2011. Retrieved December 27, 2009.
  13. ↑ Brock, Corey (August 30, 2006). "Soriano released from hospital". MLB.com . Retrieved December 27, 2009.
  14. ↑ CBS SportsLine.com wire reports (August 30, 2006). "Mariners' Soriano suffers concussion (CBS News)". Cbs.sportsline.com. Archived from the original on July 7, 2012. Retrieved September 26, 2012.
  15. ↑ Bishop, Greg (August 31, 2006). ""Lucky" Soriano leaves hospital (Seattle Times)". Seattletimes.nwsource.com. Retrieved September 26, 2012.
  16. ↑ Bowman, Mark (December 7, 2006). "Braves, Mariners finish swap of arms". MLB.com . Retrieved December 27, 2009.
  17. ↑ "Atlanta's Soriano disciplined". MLB.com . September 20, 2007. Retrieved December 27, 2009.
  18. ↑ Bowman, Mark (September 28, 2007). "Notes: Soriano's suspension reduced". MLB.com . Retrieved December 27, 2009.
  19. ↑ "Braves plan to move Soriano, who re-signed for $9 million, to closer". ESPN. Associated Press. January 24, 2008. Retrieved February 21, 2011.
  20. ↑ Mark Bowman (December 10, 2009). "Braves finalize deal for Rays' Chavez". Mlb.mlb.com. Retrieved September 10, 2010.
  21. ↑ Chastain, Bill (June 2, 2010). "Soriano wins reliever award for May". Mlb.com. Retrieved July 6, 2010.
  22. ↑ "Rafael Soriano named winner of the Major League Baseball Delivery Man of the Month Award for July". MLB.com (Press release). August 4, 2010. Retrieved August 10, 2010.
  23. ↑ "Tampa Bay's Rafael Soriano named winner of the Major League Baseball Delivery Man of the Month award for August". Mlb.com (Press release). September 2, 2010. Archived from the original on March 25, 2012. Retrieved September 10, 2010.
  24. ↑ "Rafael Soriano to replace Mariano Rivera on A.L. All-Star Roster | MLB.com: Official Info". Mlb.mlb.com. July 7, 2010. Retrieved September 10, 2010.
  25. ↑ "Immaculate Innings: 9 Pitches – 9 Strikes – 3 Outs". Baseball-Almanac.com. Baseball Almanac. Retrieved August 29, 2021.
  26. ↑ Wallace MatthewsESPNNewYork.comFollowArchive (January 18, 2011). "Yanks set to introduce Rafael Soriano". Sports.espn.go.com. Retrieved September 26, 2012.
  27. ↑ "Yankees make Soriano deal official". Newyork.yankees.mlb.com. Retrieved September 26, 2012.
  28. ↑ Hoch, Bryan (April 21, 2011). "Colon gives Yanks more than enough to win". MLB.com. Retrieved April 21, 2011.
  29. ↑ "Soriano squanders another save". Journal News. April 26, 2011. Retrieved April 26, 2011.
  30. ↑ Marchand, Andrew; Matthews, Wallace (November 1, 2012). "Rafael Soriano opts out of deal". ESPN. Retrieved November 3, 2012.
  31. ↑ "Nationals load up in bullpen with Rafael Soriano for two years, $28 million". Wallstreeter. Retrieved January 15, 2013.
  32. ↑ "Ex-Yankees Reliever Rafael Soriano Agrees To 2-Year, $28 Million Deal With Nationals". CBS Sports. January 15, 2013. Retrieved January 15, 2013.
  33. ↑ Nationals boost bullpen, sign Soriano to two-year deal MLB.com
  34. ↑ Ladson, Bill (January 17, 2014). "Deal official, Nationals introduce closer Rafael Soriano". MLB.com. Retrieved September 6, 2014.
  35. ↑ Wagner, James (December 6, 2013). "A deeper look at Rafael Soriano's first season as Nationals closer". Washington Post. Retrieved September 6, 2014.
  36. ↑ "Soriano out as Nationals go to closer by committee". ESPN.com. Associated Press. September 6, 2014. Retrieved September 6, 2014.
  37. ↑ "Cubs sign free-agent reliever Rafael Soriano". Chicago Sun-Times. Archived from the original on June 11, 2015.
  38. ↑ Nicholson-Smith, Ben (February 28, 2016). "Blue Jays sign former all-star reliever Rafael Soriano". Sportsnet . Retrieved February 28, 2016.
  39. ↑ "Report: P Rafael Soriano to retire". si.com. March 17, 2016. Retrieved March 20, 2016.
  40. ↑ Fordin, Spencer (March 20, 2016). "Longtime closer Soriano opts to retire". MLB.com. Retrieved March 20, 2016.
  41. ↑ "PITCHf/x Player Card: Rafael Soriano". BrooksBaseball.net. Retrieved May 7, 2012.
Rafael Soriano
Rafael Soriano on May 18, 2014.jpg
Soriano with the Washington Nationals in 2014
Pitcher
Born: (1979-12-19) December 19, 1979 (age 44)
San José de los Llanos, Dominican Republic
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
MLB debut
May 10, 2002, for the Seattle Mariners
Last MLB appearance
July 30, 2015, for the Chicago Cubs
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