José Soriano

Note: This page discusses 2020s pitcher José Soriano. For the 1997-1999 CPBL and minor league pitcher of the same name, click here.

José Joaquin Soriano

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 3", Weight 168 lb.

• Debut June 3, 2023

• Born October 20, 1998 in Santo Domingo, Distrito Nacional D.R.

BR page

Biographical Information

Pitcher José Soriano was the first pick of the 2020 Rule V Draft, by the Pittsburgh Pirates on December 10, 2020.

He was originally signed by the Los Angeles Angels on March 4, 2016 and began his career that same year with the DSL Angels, going 3-5, 1.58 in 14 starts. He moved to the United States in 2017, splitting the season between the AZL Angels and Orem Owlz, two Rookie-level teams, and going a combined 2-2, 2.92 in 13 games. 2018 was his first year of full-season ball, spent in the Class A Midwest League with the Burlington Bees. He found the going a bit tougher, finishing at 1-6, 4.47 in 14 starts. He then repeated the level in 2019, also pitching a few times back in the Arizona League on a rehabilitation assignment. He went a combined 5-7, 2.51 in 20 games (18 starts), logging 82 1/3 innings and striking out 92 batters against 51 walks. He underwent Tommy John surgery at the end of the season, meaning that the fact that the 2020 minor league season was cancelled did not affect him much, as he would not have been expected to pitch that year in any case.

He only made two appearances in the Pirates' system in 2021, both for the Bradenton Marauders of what was called the Low-A Southeast that year, but he gave up 7 runs on 6 hits and 3 walks in 3 2/3 innings. The Pirates felt he was too far away from the majors to justify the continued use of a 40-man roster spot on him, and when they tried to outright him to the minors the following November, the Angels exercised their right to claim him back. He spent the 2022 season on rehabilitation assignments between the ACL Angels and Inland Empire 66ers of the California League in order to build back his arm strength, putting up an ERA of 2.08 in 13 innings. He was finally ready to resume his career in 2023 when he was assigned to the Rocket City Trash Pandas of the AA Southern League to start the year. In his first 17 games, he was 0-2, 4.24 and on June 3rd was called up to the majors, making his debut by pitching th 8th inning in a 9-6 loss to the Houston Astros. He gave up just one walk in his inning of work.

Related Sites

• José Soriano on mlb.com
• BR Minors page