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'Big-time stuff:' Hard-throwing Angels' Jose Soriano making early Cy Young pitch
TL;DR
Jose Soriano of the Los Angeles Angels has become MLB's first four-game winner this season, boasting a 0.33 ERA after striking out 10 batters in a recent game. His performance has drawn praise, marking the Angels' first series win at Great American Ball Park since 2007.
'Big-time stuff:' Hard-throwing Angels' Jose Soriano making early Cy Young pitch originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Becoming MLB's first four-game winner this season, Los Angeles Angels pitcher Jose Soriano remains nearly untouchable.
After striking out 10 over seven shutout innings Sunday, Soriano (4-0) guided the Angels to a 9-6 victory over the host Cincinnati Reds, lowering his earned-run average to 0.33, becoming the first franchise hurler to win his first four decisions since Jered Weaver opened 6-0 in 2011.
The Angels captured their first series at Great American Ball Park since June 12-14, 2007.
"It's some of the best stuff you'll see in this league," Atlanta Braves manager Walt Weiss said April 6, following another 10-strikeout outing, as reported by MLB.com. "You hate giving credit to opposing pitchers, but sometimes you have to. That was big-time stuff right there."
How long can Soriano, an early AL Cy Young candidate, maintain his current pace?
Angels' Jose Soriano remains nearly unhittable
Entering Sunday's start, Soriano surrendered just one run combined against the Houston Astros, Chicago Cubs and Atlanta Braves. In 20 innings, he struck out 21 and yielded seven hits.
Soriano continues to enjoy an elite regular-season opening, becoming just the sixth pitcher since at least 1900 to compile 20 strikeouts in his first 20-plus innings with fewer than 10 hits and one run.
From 2024-25, Soriano posted a strikeout rate of 20.9 percent. This season, it was 29.6 percent.
His whiff rate also spiked. During the two previous seasons, he registered a 25.7 percent whiff rate. This season, it was 33.8 percent.
As Weiss said, Soriano's "stuff" continues to improve, particularly with his top offerings.
His velocity on his four-seam fastball ticked up from 97.9 mph to 98.3 mph. His enhanced sinker was getting nearly an inch of additional drop and about two inches of arm-side run. His hybrid splitter, or "splinker," has included a two-inch deeper drop.
How long can Soriano remain nearly untouchable? Can he carry it to his first Cy Young?
Q&A
What is Jose Soriano's current win-loss record in the MLB?
Jose Soriano has a win-loss record of 4-0 this season.
How many strikeouts did Jose Soriano achieve in his latest game?
Jose Soriano struck out 10 batters in his latest game against the Cincinnati Reds.
When did the Angels last win a series at Great American Ball Park?
The Angels last won a series at Great American Ball Park from June 12-14, 2007.
