LA Angel Top 25 Angel Prospects: #13 Jose Soriano

Jose Soriano is easily one of the highest upside pitchers within the LA Angels system right now.

After being signed out of the Dominican Republic in 2016 by the LA Angels, Soriano showed off some serious talent during his 2017 debut season. Soriano has excited many scouts with his electric arm and beyond high-quality stuff. At worst he can settle into the middle of a starting rotation, but at best? At best he can leave the world of Major League Baseball in awe at his ability.

There is so much good in what he does fundamentally that it would be easier to write off his developmental needs to start this off. For one, Soriano has a change-up that is very much a work in progress and looks to peak out as average. Next to that he has a strong delivery that still desires consistency in order to bring his command to full-speed. That’s pretty much it, Soriano is only a couple of years from hitting the Majors and the only thing needed is the patience to see his needs develop properly.

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Jose Soriano (RHP)

Signed March 4th 2016 – Dominican Republic

Bats/Throws: R/R

Jose Soriano has a killer fastball, that should be noted right out of the gate. He can work his fastball in the mid 90’s while touching on 97 mph. Because of his height, at 6’3, his fastball has great natural downward action to it which finishes off in a tight break thanks to his natural pitching electricity. His fastball can do a lot on its own, from setting up hitters to putting them away via strikeout and even command the groundball. Soriano is a stud at producing groundballs thanks to the natural action in his pitches, produces over an average GB rate over 50%.

Another huge plus for Soriano is his developing physicality. Coming into the 2017 season Soriano threw his fastball in the low 90’s while touching 95mph. Now he’s throwing in the mid 90’s while touching 97. You can thank his successful strength/weight training for that jump. It would not be wild to think that another year of successful training to fill out his 6’3, 168lbs frame even more and add furthered pop to his pitches.

Speaking of his pitches, his curveball is pretty strong while flashing plus-potential. He can work it in and out of the strike zone, though a consistent delivery would solidify this even further. The spin rate on it is very good and keeps hitters eyes guessing all over the zone. It’s no surprise many see his fastball/curve combo as the best 1-2 punch of any pitcher within the Angels organization.

One thing that sticks out is scouts seeing his pitching action as being more of a thrower than of a pitcher. This is mostly in part to his delivery requiring consistency, though he mostly punches his pitches through the zone. While it likely won’t relegate him to the bullpen as a high level closer this is still an option that you should keep your eye out for. Soriano is already well-regarded with his ability to limit hard contact thanks to the electricity of his stuff. A valid comparison would be Luis Severino.

All in all, Soriano has the potential to be one of the most exciting pitchers on the Angels in the near future. He can be very electric and can shut down a hitter in so many different ways. While he still has command and delivery issues to work out that is mostly just a matter of patience. Jose Soriano has what it takes to make it big, now we just have to wait for the time to come.

Developmental Needs: Consistent Delivery, Change-up, Continued Strength/Weight Training

Best Tools: Fastball/Curve, Groundball Ability, Arm Action, Intimidating, Electric

MLB ETA: 2020