Jan 2021 Report
Evaluator: Geoff Pontes
Age: 22 yr
Height: 6-3
Weight: 220 lbs
Hits/Throws: R/R
Acquired: 2016 IFA, LAA
RuleV: On 40-Man Roster
Physical Description: Tall at 6-3, with long levers and a lean wiry strong physique. Some remaining physical projection in the lower half, arms and shoulders, but his back is strong, and his fitness level is fairly high. Excellent athleticism and the ability to get into his glutes to generate upper-tier velocity. Underwent Tommy John surgery February of 2020, but should be ready by May or June, hopefully earning enough time to meet Rule 5 requirements.
Delivery & Mechanics: Overhead motion, starts with rocker step to high leg kick, gets deep into back leg before drop and drive. Shorter arm action with a near over the top slot. His arm is a little lower on the breaking balls to the point that it’s noticeable. Difficulty repeating his motion. Lots of moving parts in his full operation. Soriano/s mechanics from the stretch aren’t any better, and can best be described as rapid. He brings his knee to his chin on his leg kick and extends toward home. It’s a toned down version of his full delivery without the overhead rocker step. Noted strong pickoff moves to first. Needed element of game due to slow moves to home.
Fastball: Serious heat at as high as 98 mph in game during 2019 observations. Consistently sat upper-90s during the season as a starter. Fastball command is inconsistent from pitch to pitch, but it’s really accentuated from start to start. When he’s on, his fastball has good zip elevated with a little cut. When it’s off the pitch runs armside late and is an easy take or it’s straight and easy to square. Early 2019 season velocity was more 92-95 mph, saw a velocity bump, and then a string of injuries. Grade: 55
Curveball: Overhand 12-6 curveball with big drop. Gets lots of swings and misses over it and the bender is definitely Soriano’s go to pitch versus right handed hitters. Excellent dump, but only fringe-average to average velocity in the 76-80 mph range. Shows average command of this pitch, an element lacking from his fastball and changeup quality. He does an excellent job of landing it at the bottom of the zone 80% of the time. On his off throws they mostly land above the zone with an elevated element of horizontal break. Plus breaking ball with the ability to drive weak contact and miss barrels. The games where Soriano can’t command his breaking ball he’s dead in the water. Grade: 60
Changeup: Inconsistent pitch with above average movement. Serious armside run, and 10-12+ mph separation from his fastball. Changeup first plan of attack versus left handed batters and enough confidence in the pitch to use off the plate in same side matchups. His command of the pitch is below average, but it moves and there’s enough arm speed quality to fool hitters. Fringe average fastball with a change to reach average status with improved feel. Grade: 45
Control and Command: Major control and command issues. From start to start Soriano struggled to master his fastball and show continued strike throwing that would lead to potential dominance with his stuff. He consistently misses high glove side with his fastball, his changeup sees the strike zone around 40% of the time. While his curveball - though commanded well - can lose its touch for the bottom of the zone, especially on Soriano’s worst command days. Below average strike throwing with poor command, improvements in this area could boost the overall profile significantly. Control: 40 | Command: 30
verall: Soriano possesses some of the most elite stuff in the entirety of the Pirates organization. A high-90s fastball, a curveball that falls off a table, and a changeup with heavy armside run, it’s a pretty pitch mix. However, his strike throwing at times is reminiscent of Carlos Marmol, as he’ll really lose his point of release and subsequently feel for the zone, often unable to stop the bleeding. This is why his long term profile as a starter is highly unlikely, especially as he returns from Tommy John Surgery. Soriano looks capable of filling a bullpen role immediately for the rebuilding Pirates where his fastball velocity and two bat missing secondaries can potentially play up. Poor command has broke many a reliever so some expectation of a Craig Kimbrelesque existence is a losing bet. Low leverage arm with average high leverage relief potential. As the top overall pick in the rule five draft, Soriano has minimum requirements to meet on Pittsburgh’s active roster in order to remain with the organization.
OFP: 45
Role: 40 -Low-Leverage Reliever
Risk: Moderate
