Jorge Soler

Jorge Carlos Soler Castillo Bio

Jorge Carlos Soler Castillo is a Cuban professional baseball outfielder and designated hitter for the Los Angeles Angels of Major League Baseball (MLB). After defecting from Cuba in 2011, he signed a nine-year contract with the Chicago Cubs and made his MLB debut in 2014. Soler has enjoyed notable success in his career, including winning the World Series with both the Cubs and the Atlanta Braves, and being named the World Series MVP in 2021. His powerful hitting has made him an All-Star, and he continues to compete at a high level in MLB.

Early Life and Background

Jorge Carlos Soler Castillo was born on February 25, 1992, in Cuba. He grew up playing baseball in his home country and developed into a highly regarded prospect. Soler represented Cuba in international competition, including the 2010 World Junior Baseball Championship held in Thunder Bay. In that tournament, he posted a .304 batting average, a .500 on-base percentage, and a .522 slugging percentage while drawing nine walks, which ranked second most in the event. Cuba won the bronze medal in that competition.

Soler also played briefly with the Industriales in the Cuban National Series, which is the top domestic baseball league in Cuba. His performances at the junior level and in domestic play attracted attention from scouts both domestically and internationally.

Defection and Path to MLB

In 2011, Soler made the decision to defect from Cuba to pursue his dream of playing in Major League Baseball. He established residency in Haiti before being unblocked by the Office of Foreign Assets Control on June 2, 2012, which made him an MLB free agent. Multiple teams expressed interest in Soler during the bidding process.

On June 11, 2012, Soler reportedly agreed to a nine-year, $30 million contract with the Chicago Cubs. Scouts described him as a 19-year-old athlete with five-tool potential. Some teams preferred Soler to higher-profile Cuban defector Yoenis Cespedes. Keith Law of ESPN.com indicated that Soler had the talent of a top-five draft choice in the 2012 MLB draft had he been eligible to be drafted.

Jorge Carlos Soler Castillo Career

Chicago Cubs (2014–2016)

Soler made his professional debut in 2012 with the AZL Cubs and was promoted to the Peoria Chiefs in August. In 34 games between the two teams, he batted .299 with five home runs and 25 RBIs. He spent the 2013 season with the Daytona Cubs, slashing .281/.343/.467 with eight home runs and 35 RBIs in 55 games. On April 10, 2013, while playing for Daytona, Soler was involved in a bench-clearing incident and charged the opposing dugout while holding a baseball bat. He was ejected, fined, and received a five-game suspension.

Soler began the 2014 season with the Tennessee Smokies. On July 22, 2014, after batting .415/.494/.862 with six home runs and 22 RBI in 22 games, he was promoted to the Iowa Cubs. On August 25, 2014, Soler was called up to the major leagues for the first time. On August 27, facing Cincinnati Reds pitcher Mat Latos, he hit a home run in his first major league at-bat, becoming the 117th player in MLB history to accomplish that feat. On September 1, he had two doubles in his home debut, becoming just the third major league player in the last 100 years to have at least one extra-base hit in each of his first five games.

Soler became the starting right fielder for the Cubs in 2015. An ankle injury sidelined him in early June, but he returned on July 5 after a rehab stint. He finished the regular season with a .268 batting average, 15 home runs, and 67 RBIs. In the postseason, he had an exceptional Division Series against the St. Louis Cardinals, reaching base nine times in a row. The Cubs defeated the Cardinals in four games to advance to the National League Championship Series.

In 2016, Soler’s playing time dipped to 86 games. Through 13 at-bats in the playoffs, he had four strikeouts, three walks, and two hits. Both hits came in the World Series, including a triple in Game 3 off Bryan Shaw. The Cubs won the 2016 World Series over the Cleveland Indians in seven games, giving Soler his first championship.

Kansas City Royals (2017–2021)

On December 7, 2016, the Cubs traded Soler to the Kansas City Royals for Wade Davis. After a string of injuries and inconsistency at the plate in 2017, Soler was demoted to Triple-A Omaha on June 2. In 74 games for Omaha, he batted .267 with 24 home runs and 59 RBIs. In 35 games for Kansas City, he compiled a .144 batting average with two home runs and six RBIs.

Soler began the 2018 season as Kansas City’s starting right fielder. However, after suffering a toe fracture in mid-June, he was sidelined for the remainder of the year. Over 61 games, he hit .265 with nine home runs. In 2019, he returned to form, splitting time between right field and designated hitter. On September 3, he hit his 39th home run of the season, becoming Kansas City’s record holder for most home runs in a single season. The following night, he became the first Royals player in history to record at least 40 home runs in a single season. For the year, he batted .265 and led the American League with 48 home runs and 178 strikeouts in 589 at-bats. His home run total was the most ever in a single season by a Cuban-born player and remains the Royals’ single-season record.

In the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, Soler batted .228 with eight home runs and 24 RBIs in 43 games. At the beginning of the 2021 season with Kansas City, he batted .192/.288/.370 in 308 at-bats.

Atlanta Braves (2021)

On July 30, 2021, Soler was traded to the Atlanta Braves for Kasey Kalich. In 2021, he batted .223/.316/.432 with 27 home runs and 70 RBIs in 516 at-bats between the Royals and Braves. With Atlanta specifically, he hit .269/.358/.524. His home runs averaged 423 feet, the longest average home run distance of all major league hitters.

His postseason performance was historic. In Game 1 of the 2021 World Series, Soler hit a leadoff home run off Framber Valdez, becoming the first player to hit a home run in the first plate appearance of a World Series. In Game 4, he hit a pinch-hit go-ahead home run in the seventh inning to give the Braves a 3-2 lead. In Game 6, he hit his third home run of the series, a 446-foot three-run shot to give the Braves a 3-0 lead. Soler was named World Series MVP for his performance, becoming the second Cuban-born player to win the award after Livan Hernandez.

Miami Marlins (2022–2023)

On March 22, 2022, Soler signed a three-year, $36 million contract with the Miami Marlins. In 2023, he was named to the National League’s roster for the MLB All-Star Game. He batted .269 with 36 home runs and 75 RBIs. Following the 2023 season, Soler opted out of his contract and became a free agent.

San Francisco Giants (2024)

On February 18, 2024, Soler signed a three-year, $42 million contract with the San Francisco Giants. In 93 games for San Francisco, Soler slashed .240/.330/.419 with 12 home runs and 40 RBIs. On July 29, 2024, the Giants traded Soler and Luke Jackson to the Atlanta Braves in exchange for Tyler Matzek and Sabin Ceballos. In 49 games for the Braves during his second stint, he slashed .243/.356/.493 with nine home runs and 24 RBIs.

Los Angeles Angels (2025–Present)

On October 31, 2024, Soler was traded to the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for Griffin Canning. He joined the Angels for the 2025 season. In 82 appearances for Los Angeles, he batted .215/.293/.387 with 12 home runs and 34 RBIs. On July 26, 2025, Soler was placed on the injured list due to low back inflammation. He was transferred to the 60-day injured list on September 8, 2025.

Driving Style and Strengths

Soler stands 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighs 215 pounds, giving him the frame that produces his signature power. He has been described as a power-hitting outfielder with five-tool potential. His ability to hit for power, particularly home runs, has been his greatest asset throughout his career. His home runs have averaged over 423 feet at times, ranking among the longest average distances in MLB. He has shown the ability to play both corner outfield positions and serve as a designated hitter.

Notable Events and Milestones

Soler achieved several milestones during his career. He made MLB history by hitting a home run in his first at-bat on August 27, 2014, joining 117 other players to accomplish that feat. His 2019 season saw him lead the American League with 48 home runs, setting the Kansas City Royals’ single-season record. In the 2021 World Series, he became the first player to hit a home run in the first plate appearance of a World Series and earned World Series MVP honors. In 2023, he earned his first All-Star selection.

Jorge Carlos Soler Castillo Career Wins

Throughout his MLB career, Jorge Carlos Soler Castillo has accumulated significant achievements across multiple teams. His power-hitting ability has translated into consistent home run totals and memorable postseason moments.

Championship Highlights

Soler has won two World Series championships, first with the Chicago Cubs in 2016 and then with the Atlanta Braves in 2021. His performance in the 2021 World Series earned him the Most Valuable Player Award. He led the American League in home runs during the 2019 season with Kansas City, setting the franchise record with 48 homers. In 2023, he earned his first All-Star selection while playing for Miami, batting .269 with 36 home runs and 75 RBIs.

Other Achievements

Throughout his career, Soler has established himself as a consistent power threat. His career statistics through June 24, 2026, include 214 home runs, 587 RBIs, and a .240 batting average. He set the Royals’ single-season home run record with 48 in 2019, which he shares with Salvador Perez. His dramatic postseason performances, including the leadoff home run in the 2021 World Series opener and his clutch hitting throughout the series, cemented his reputation as a big-game performer.

Jorge Carlos Soler Castillo Family

Personal Life

Jorge Carlos Soler Castillo is married to Leydis Serrano. The couple has kept much of their personal life private. On November 2, 2023, Soler was included in a lawsuit after allegedly injuring a woman with a ball he threw into the stands during an October 29, 2021 World Series game while playing for Atlanta.

2025 Season Performance

Jorge Carlos Soler Castillo began the 2025 season with the Los Angeles Angels following the trade from Atlanta. He served as the team’s designated hitter and occasional outfielder. In 82 appearances, he batted .215 with 12 home runs and 34 RBIs while adjusting to his new team and surroundings.

The season took an unfortunate turn when Soler was placed on the injured list on July 26, 2025, due to low back inflammation. The injury required him to be transferred to the 60-day injured list on September 8, 2025, significantly limiting his second-half production. The Angels managed his recovery carefully as they evaluated their roster for future seasons.

Despite the injury setbacks, Soler remained a power threat when in the lineup. His ability to hit for power remained evident in his batted-ball metrics. The Angels looked to get a full healthy season from Soler in 2026 as they built around their core players. His leadership experience from winning two World Series titles and his postseason success provided valuable mentorship to younger players in the clubhouse.