Joakim Soria

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This name uses Spanish naming customs; the first or paternal family name is Soria and the second or maternal family name is Ramos.
Joakim Soria
Texas Rangers – No. 28
Relief pitcher
Born: (1984-05-18) May 18, 1984
Monclova, Coahuila, Mexico
Bats: Right Throws: Right
MLB debut
April 4, 2007 for the Kansas City Royals
Career statistics
(through 2013 season)
Win–loss record 14–15
Earned run average 2.50
Strikeouts 369
Saves 160
Teams

Career highlights and awards

Joakim Soria
Medal record
Men's baseball
Competitor for  Mexico
Central American and Caribbean Games
Bronze 2006 Cartagena Team

Joakim Agustín Soria Ramos (born May 18, 1984) is a Mexican professional baseball relief pitcher for the Texas Rangers of Major League Baseball (MLB). Previously, he pitched for the Kansas City Royals.

Soria began his professional career in the Mexican League, before briefly playing in minor league baseball for the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres organizations. The Royals selected Soria from the Padres in the Rule 5 draft after the 2006 season, and he debuted with the Royals in 2007. Soria is a two-time MLB All-Star.

Mexican League career

Soria has played for his country's Diablos Rojos del México (in the Mexican Baseball League) and Yaquis de Obregón in the Winter League. He played for the Class-A Fort Wayne Wizards as well. On December 9, 2006 in the Mexican Winter League, Soria threw a perfect game against the Naranjeros de Hermosillo.[1]

Major League Baseball career

Soria pitching for the Royals in 2011

Kansas City Royals

In 2006, Soria was drafted at the age of 22 by the Kansas City Royals in the Rule 5 draft out of the San Diego Padres organization in 2006.[2] He debuted for the Royals in the 2007 season, and had a record of 2–3 with 17 saves and an ERA of 2.48.

Soria opened the 2008 season with 13 straight saves, breaking Al Hrabosky's club record of 11.[2] He was scored on in just two of 35 outings.[2] He went 16⅓ innings before giving up a run and in one stretch retired 24 straight batters.[2]

On May 17, 2008, Soria signed a 3-year, $8.75 million extension to his contract with the Royals, following his impressive performance as the team's closer in the first quarter of the season.[3]

Soria's fantastic start led to him being selected to play in the 2008 Major League Baseball All-Star Game.[2] Soria was the Royals' lone representative in the All-Star Game.[2] He was the first Royals closing pitcher to be named an All-Star since Mike MacDougal in 2003.[2] He pitched 1⅔ innings, striking out the Florida Marlins' Dan Uggla and New York Mets' David Wright.[4][5]

Soria had injuries but he finished the 2009 year strong with a 3–2 record with 30 saves out of 33 chances.[6]

On May 26, 2010 Soria got his 100th save against the Texas Rangers. Soria was picked for the 2010 All-Star Game, the second of his career. He finished the season with a 1.78 ERA and 43 saves in 46 opportunities.[7]

Soria struggled out of the gate in the 2011 season, blowing five of his first twelve save opportunities. After blowing saves on back to back days, Soria was replaced as closer by Aaron Crow on May 30.[8] After a couple of good relief appearances in a non-closer role, Yost announced on June 6 that Soria had earned the position back.[9]

On April 3, 2012, Soria underwent Tommy John surgery to repair a damaged UCL in his right elbow, causing him to miss the entire 2012 season.[10] The Royals declined his 2013 option on October 31, making him a free agent.

Texas Rangers

On December 4, 2012, Soria signed a 2-year contract worth $8 million with the Texas Rangers.[11] He started the season on the 60-day disabled list due to still recovering the from Tommy John surgery he previously had. He made his first appearance for Texas on July 7, 2013.

Personal

Soria has been nicknamed The Mexicutioner,[2] although in February 2011, he stated that he no longer wanted to be associated with that nickname due to violence in his home country.[12]

See also

  • List of Major League Baseball all-time saves leaders

References

  1. ↑ http://espndeportes.espn.go.com/news/story?id=515402&s=bei&type=story
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 Kaegel, Dick. Soria heading to All-Star Game MLB.com, 6 July 2008.
  3. ↑ Associated Press. ESPN – Royals pitcher Soria agrees to 3-year, $8.75M extension, ESPN.com, 17 May 2008.
  4. ↑ "Soria fitting right in with All-Star idols". Mlb.mlb.com. Retrieved 2012-12-05. 
  5. ↑ "Soria duplicates idol's All-Star outing". Mlb.mlb.com. Retrieved 2012-12-05. 
  6. ↑ "Joakim Soria Stats". ESPN. Retrieved May 21, 2010. 
  7. ↑ "Joakim Soria Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2012-12-05. 
  8. ↑ Kaegel, Dick (May 30, 2011). "Aaron Crow will replace Joakim Soria as the Royals' closer". MLB.com. Retrieved May 30, 2011. 
  9. ↑ "Toronto Blue Jays vs. Kansas City Royals - Recap - June 06, 2011 - ESPN". Scores.espn.go.com. 2011-06-06. Retrieved 2012-12-05. 
  10. ↑ "Royals' Joakim Soria out for season". 2012. Retrieved March 24, 2012. 
  11. ↑ "Rangers sign Joakim Soria". Espn.go.com. 2008-01-01. Retrieved 2012-12-05. 
  12. ↑ "Spring training 2011: Kansas City Royals' Joakim Soria wants to get rid of 'Mexicutioner' nickname". ESPN.com. Retrieved February 23, 2011. 

External links

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