José Joaquín Soriano Bio
José Joaquín Soriano is a Dominican professional baseball pitcher who currently plays for the Los Angeles Angels of Major League Baseball. Born on October 20, 1998, Soriano signed with the Angels as an international free agent in March 2016 and worked his way through their minor league system before making his MLB debut in June 2023. Despite facing two Tommy John surgeries during his career, Soriano has established himself as a promising starter for the Angels organization.
Early Life and Background
José Joaquín Soriano was born on October 20, 1998, in the Dominican Republic. Growing up in one of baseball’s most prolific talent pipelines, Soriano developed his skills at a young age in a country renowned for producing elite major league players. The Dominican Republic has a rich history of developing pitchers who reach the highest levels of professional baseball, and Soriano emerged as a notable prospect from this competitive environment.
His early development in the Dominican Republic laid the foundation for his future career. Young pitchers in the region often benefit from structured training programs and access to professional scouts who identify talent at an early stage. This background positioned Soriano well for his eventual signing with a major league organization.
Path to Professional Baseball
Soriano’s journey to professional baseball began when he signed with the Los Angeles Angels as an international free agent. On March 4, 2016, the Angels signed Soriano to a contract that included a $70,000 signing bonus. This represented the beginning of his progression through the Angels’ minor league system, which would test his resilience and determination over the coming years.
He made his professional debut in 2016 with the Dominican Summer League Angels, where he appeared in 14 games and posted a 3-5 record with an impressive 1.58 earned run average. These early numbers demonstrated his potential as a strikeout pitcher, though his record reflected the challenges of transitioning to professional competition.
In 2017, Soriano split the season between the Arizona League Angels and the Rookie-level Orem Owlz in Utah. He combined to go 2-2 with a 4.13 ERA across 13 appearances. The following year, 2018, he played for the Single-A Burlington Bees in the Midwest League, where he struggled to a 1-6 record with a 4.47 ERA and 42 strikeouts in 46.1 innings of work. This challenging season showed the adjustments required to succeed at each minor league level.
His 2019 season represented a significant turnaround. Splitting time between the Arizona League Angels and Burlington, Soriano went a combined 5-7 with a 2.51 ERA and 92 strikeouts in 82.0 innings pitched. The improved performance showcased his developing stuff and ability to miss bats at a higher rate.
José Joaquín Soriano Career
Early Career (2016–2019)
Soriano’s early minor league career was marked by steady progression and the typical adjustments players face when advancing through professional baseball. His time in the Dominican Summer League, Arizona League, and Single-A Burlington provided him with valuable experience against increasingly competitive hitters. The 2019 season was particularly important as he demonstrated the ability to strike out batters at a high rate while keeping his ERA under control.
Throughout this period, Soriano worked on developing his pitch repertoire and understanding of how to work hitters at different levels. The Angels’ player development staff guided his progress as he accumulated innings and experience that would prove valuable in his eventual transition to major league competition.
Injury Setbacks and Recovery
On February 13, 2020, Soriano underwent his first Tommy John surgery, which reconstructs the ulnar collateral ligament in the elbow. This procedure abruptly ended his 2020 season before it began. To make matters more difficult, the entire minor league season was cancelled that year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, eliminating what would have been Soriano’s opportunity to continue his rehabilitation in game situations.
Following the 2020 season, Soriano was selected by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the Rule 5 Draft on December 10, 2020. This draft allows teams to select players from other organizations who are not on 40-man rosters. Selected players must spend a certain amount of time on the selecting team’s major league roster. On February 17, 2021, Soriano was placed on the 60-day injured list as he continued recovering from his elbow surgery.
Soriano appeared in just two games for the High-A Bradenton Marauders in the Pirates system, allowing 11 runs in 5.1 innings for a 14.73 ERA. On June 15, 2021, he underwent Tommy John surgery for the second time in his career. This second major elbow surgery represented a significant setback in his development and required another lengthy rehabilitation process.
Return to the Angels (2022–Present)
On November 14, 2021, the Pirates returned Soriano to the Los Angeles Angels. This transaction allowed him to continue his recovery with the organization that originally signed him. After spending much of 2021 and early 2022 recovering from surgery, Soriano began a rehab assignment in August 2022 with the Rookie-level Arizona Complex League Angels.
Following his activation from the injured list, Soriano was assigned to the Single-A Inland Empire 66ers. In seven combined appearances between the two affiliates, he registered a 2.08 ERA with 17 strikeouts in 13 innings pitched. The strong performance indicated that he was returning to form after his second surgery. On November 15, 2022, the Angels selected his contract to the 40-man roster to protect him from being selected in that year’s Rule 5 Draft.
To begin the 2023 season, Soriano was optioned to the Double-A Rocket City Trash Pandas. In 17 appearances, he logged a 4.24 ERA with 31 strikeouts and one save in 23.1 innings pitched. His strong work in the minor leagues earned him a promotion, and on June 3, 2023, the Angels promoted Soriano to the major leagues for the first time in his career.
MLB Debut and Rookie Season (2023)
Soriano made his MLB debut with the Los Angeles Angels on June 3, 2023. His transition to the majors represented the culmination of years of hard work and perseverance through two major elbow surgeries. In 38 appearances out of the bullpen during his rookie campaign, Soriano compiled a 3.64 ERA with 56 strikeouts over 42 innings of work.
The rookie season provided Soriano with invaluable experience facing major league hitters. Working primarily as a reliever, he demonstrated the ability to get batters out at the highest level. His 56 strikeouts in 42 innings translated to an impressive strikeout rate, suggesting his stuff played well against big league competition.
Transition to Starting Rotation (2024)
The 2024 season marked a significant transition in Soriano’s role with the Angels. He made 22 appearances with 20 starts, demonstrating the team’s confidence in his ability to handle a starting pitcher’s workload. For the season, Soriano compiled a 6-7 record with a 3.42 ERA and 97 strikeouts across 113 innings pitched.
The shift from relief work to starting represented an adjustment in his approach and preparation. Starting pitchers typically work deeper into games and require different stamina and pitch sequencing strategies. Soriano’s 113 innings pitched in 2024 showed he could handle the increased workload after years of injury setbacks.
However, his season was cut short by injury. On August 14, 2024, Soriano was placed on the injured list with right arm fatigue. He was later transferred to the 60-day injured list on September 7, which ended his 2024 campaign. This injury was a reminder of the physical toll that pitching takes on the arm, especially for someone who had undergone two Tommy John surgeries earlier in his career.
Notable Achievements and Milestones
Throughout his career, Soriano has demonstrated resilience in overcoming significant obstacles. Making it to the major leagues after two Tommy John surgeries is an achievement that few pitchers accomplish. His journey through the minor leagues, including being selected in the Rule 5 Draft and then returned to his original organization, showcased his determination to reach the highest level of the sport.
His career win-loss record stands at 25-25 through his time with the Angels, with an earned run average of 3.78 and 407 total strikeouts. These numbers reflect a pitcher who has performed at a solid level despite the challenges he has faced. The strikeout totals especially demonstrate his ability to miss bats and overpower hitters.
José Joaquín Soriano Career Performance
Soriano has established himself as a durable and effective pitcher at the major league level. His career statistics through the 2024 season include a 25-25 win-loss record, a 3.78 earned run average, and 407 strikeouts. These numbers represent the cumulative results of his work as both a reliever and starter with the Angels.
His ability to strike out batters has been a consistent weapon throughout his career. From his early minor league numbers through his major league performance, Soriano has shown the capacity to record punchouts at an above-average rate. This skill has helped him succeed despite facing adversity and personnel changes throughout his career.
Minor League Highlights
Before reaching the majors, Soriano showed promise in the minor leagues with several standout performances. His 2019 season was particularly notable, as he combined for a 5-7 record with a 2.51 ERA and 92 strikeouts in 82 innings between two affiliates. The 92 strikeouts demonstrated his potential as a strikeout pitcher capable of dominating opposing lineups.
His rehab assignment in 2022 also showed his resilience, as he posted a 2.08 ERA with 17 strikeouts in 13 innings across two levels. This performance directly led to his addition to the Angels’ 40-man roster and subsequent MLB debut the following season.
Major League Performance
In his rookie season of 2023, Soriano appeared in 38 games and posted a 3.64 ERA with 56 strikeouts in 42 innings. His 2024 campaign showed continued development, as he went 6-7 with a 3.42 ERA and 97 strikeouts in 113 innings while making 20 starts. These results indicate a pitcher who has made a successful transition to major league competition and continues to improve with experience.
José Joaquín Soriano Personal Life
José Joaquín Soriano continues his professional career while representing the Dominican Republic, a country that has produced countless major league talents. He maintains an active presence on social media, connecting with fans through his Instagram account. His journey from signing in 2016 through two major surgeries to MLB success serves as an example of perseverance in professional baseball.
The physical demands of pitching, particularly the toll on the elbow that led to his two Tommy John surgeries, have required Soriano to be diligent about his health and recovery. His ability to return from these procedures and perform at a high level reflects both his physical talent and mental toughness.
2025 Season Outlook
The 2025 season represents another opportunity for Soriano to build on his foundation of major league experience. After his 2024 season was shortened by injury, he enters the campaign focused on staying healthy and contributing to the Angels’ pitching staff. His versatility as both a reliever and starter provides the team with valuable flexibility in constructing their staff.
Soriano’s continued development will depend on his ability to stay on the mound and build consistency in his performance. The Angels have shown patience with his progression, and his place in the organization remains secure based on his track record of results when healthy. The Dominican right-hander looks to establish himself as a reliable rotation piece as he enters his third major league season.