Gregory Soto

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Gregory Soto
Detroit Tigers – No. 65
Pitcher
Born: (1995-02-11) February 11, 1995 (age 26)
Haina, Dominican Republic
Bats: Left
Throws: Left
MLB debut
May 11, 2019, for the Detroit Tigers
MLB statistics
(through 2021 season)
Win–loss record6–9
Earned run average4.49
Strikeouts150
Saves20
Teams
Career highlights and awards

Gregory Soto (born February 11, 1995) is a Dominican professional baseball pitcher for the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball (MLB).

Career[]

Soto signed with the Detroit Tigers as an international free agent in December 2012. He made his professional debut in 2013 with the Dominican Summer League Tigers, pitching to a 1-2 record and 4.82 ERA in 16 games (12 starts), and returned there in 2014 where he improved, going 5–3 with a 3.20 ERA in 16 games (ten starts). He spent 2015 with the Gulf Coast Tigers and Connecticut Tigers, posting a combined 2–5 record and 3.23 ERA with 45 strikeouts in 39 total innings between the two teams, and 2016 with Connecticut where he was 3–2 with a 3.03 ERA and 1.43 WHIP in 15 starts.

Soto started 2017 with the West Michigan Whitecaps and was promoted to the Lakeland Flying Tigers during the season.[1] After going 12–2 with a 2.25 ERA and 144 strikeouts between the two teams, he was named the Tigers minor league pitcher of the year.[2][3]

The Tigers added him to their 40-man roster after the 2017 season.[4]

He spent the 2018 season with Lakeland, going 8–8 with a 4.45 ERA in 113 innings. On January 11, 2019, Soto was suspended for 20 games by Major League Baseball for “conduct detrimental to baseball" under Article XII(B). The suspension started on opening day.[5] He was activated on April 20 and optioned to Lakeland, appearing in one game before being promoted to the Erie SeaWolves.[6]

Soto made his major league debut on May 11, 2019, against the Minnesota Twins, starting the second game of a doubleheader as the 26th man.[7]

Soto made the Tigers roster out of 2020 summer camp. On August 29, 2020, he earned his first career save against the Minnesota Twins.[8] With the 2020 Detroit Tigers, he appeared in 27 games, compiling a 0–1 record with 4.30 ERA and 29 strikeouts in 23.0 innings pitched.[9]

Soto made the Tigers opening day roster for the 2021 season. Despite allowing a two-run homer, he earned the save in a 3–2 opening day win over the Cleveland Indians on April 1.[10] Soto was named to the 2021 American League All-Star team. At the time of his selection, Soto was 4–1 with a 2.18 ERA. He had 38 strikeouts in 33 innings, and was six-for-six in save opportunities.[11] Soto pitched one inning in the All-Star game, allowing a solo home run to J. T. Realmuto.[12] Soto suffered a fractured finger after getting hit by a line drive on September 17, and was shut down for the remainder of the season.[13] He finished 2021 with a 6–3 record, 3.39 ERA and 18 saves in 19 opportunities, while striking out 76 batters in 63+2⁄3 innings.

Pitch selection[]

Soto is mainly a two-pitch pitcher. He throws a sinking two-seam fastball in the 95 to 99 MPH range (topping out at 101 MPH), and a slider in the 86 to 90 MPH range (topping out at 92 MPH). He also throws an occasional four-seam fastball that averages 97–98 MPH.[14]

References[]

  1. ^ Lambert, Ivan. "Soto named Tigers minor league pitcher of the year - Sports - The Ledger - Lakeland, FL". The Ledger. Retrieved November 7, 2017.
  2. ^ "Stewart, Soto earn Tigers' top minor-league honors". The Detroit News. September 27, 2017. Retrieved November 7, 2017.
  3. ^ "Christin Stewart, Gregory Soto awarded Detroit Tigers minor league honors". Detroit Free Press. September 27, 2017. Retrieved November 7, 2017.
  4. ^ Woodbery, Evan (November 21, 2017). "Tigers add 8 young players to 40-man roster". mlive.com. Retrieved May 9, 2019.
  5. ^ "Detroit Tigers prospect Gregory Soto suspended 20 games by MLB". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved 2019-02-23.
  6. ^ "Tigers' Gregory Soto: Heads to High-A". CBS Sports. April 20, 2019. Retrieved May 9, 2019.
  7. ^ Paul, Tony (May 9, 2019). "Tigers lefty prospect Gregory Soto being promoted from Erie, starts Saturday". The Detroit News. Retrieved May 11, 2019.
  8. ^ Beck, Jason (August 29, 2020). "Something old, new lead Tigers in DH sweep". MLB.com. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
  9. ^ https://www.mlb.com/player/gregory-soto-642397[bare URL]
  10. ^ Harding, Zane (April 1, 2021). "Tigers 3, Cleveland 2: Miguel Cabrera, Matthew Boyd lead Tigers to Opening Day victory". blessyouboys.com. Retrieved April 2, 2021.
  11. ^ Petzold, Evan (July 4, 2021). "Detroit Tigers reliever Gregory Soto selected to 2021 All-Star Game". freep.com. Retrieved July 6, 2021.
  12. ^ "AL All Stars 5, NL All-Stars 2 (box score)". MLB.com. July 13, 2021. Retrieved July 14, 2021.
  13. ^ Petzold, Evan (September 19, 2021). "Detroit Tigers' Gregory Soto out for rest of season; Matthew Boyd seeks second opinion". Freep.com. Retrieved September 20, 2021.
  14. ^ "Gregory Soto PitchFX at fangraphs.com". fangraphs.com. Retrieved July 21, 2021.

External links[]

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