Former Calgary PBF Redbird RHP Mike Soroka (Calgary, Alta.) slots into the No. 2 spot in the Chicago White Sox rotation this spring.

March 24, 2024

By Tyson Shushkewich

Canadian Baseball Network

Michael Soroka was winding down after a 2023 season split between the big leagues and the minors with the Atlanta Braves.

It had been a bounce-back year for the right-hander, as multiple Achilles’ injuries limited him to 25 innings since his first surgery in 2020. Soroka (Calgary, Alta.) made 24 appearances in 2023 between triple-A Gwinnett and Atlanta.

Then he received a call from fellow Canadian and Braves general manager Alex Anthopoulos (Montreal, Que.), the Canadian Baseball Network’s most influential Canuck last year.

“I knew there was a chance I could be moved this offseason given how deep the Braves’ rotation was,” Soroka told the Canadian Baseball Network. “I received that call from Alex and we spoke for a bit before the news broke, talking about my time with the organization.

“Then I received a call from Chris Getz (White Sox vice-president and general manager) and he shared his vision about the direction of the team and how I fit into the plans the club had moving forward. I loved everything he was saying right from the get-go.”

On the business side of the game, Soroka found himself part of a package deal alongside LHP Jared Shuster, RHP Riley Gowens, SS Nicky Lopez, and SS Braden Shewmake in exchange for southpaw reliever Aaron Bummer. The Braves had numerous arms fighting for a spot in the 2024 rotation and Atlanta was able to trade from their advanced depth of starters, which included Soroka.

“Being traded is a difficult scenario for any player, especially since this was the organization that drafted and developed me over the years,” said Soroka. “But I understand. It is the business and the nature of this job and these things can happen, and I have nothing but good things to say about my time with Atlanta.

“Looking ahead, I love the vision the White Sox have in place and also appreciate their faith in believing in me and trading for me as well, and how they feel that I fit into those plans.”

As a member of the Braves, Soroka pitched to a 3.32 ERA through 44 outings (43 starts) and 246 1/3 innings. He posted a 2.4 BB/9 and a 7.3 K/9 over parts of four campaigns and amassed a 17-8 record with one all-star appearance (2019). That season, the Canuck posted a 2.68 ERA through 29 starts while leading the National League in HR/9 (0.7) and posting a 3.45 FIP and 1.111 WHIP.

For his efforts, he finished second in NL Rookie of the Year voting, losing to New York Mets slugger Pete Alonso, and he was sixth in Cy Young award voting. The following season, Soroka became the Braves’ youngest Opening Day starter against Alonso and the Mets at age 22, a record that stands.

This spring, Soroka entered camp not as a member of the Braves, which comes with noticeable scenery changes compared to spring training camps of the past. The White Sox call Glendale, Arizona their winter home. The White Sox play in the Cactus League compared to the Braves, who feature in the Grapefruit League and are based in North Port, Fla.

“Travelling and playing in Arizona versus Florida is one of the biggest differences from years past,” said Soroka. “Being from Calgary, I am more familiar with Arizona compared to the East Coast. I enjoy the desert and the atmosphere here a bit more. In terms of the camp itself, I really enjoy how things are being run and how this group expects us to go out and give everything we have when step on the field.

“Considering there are some roster battles heading into the season, I enjoy the competitive atmosphere surrounding the camp and the team. I think it brings the best out of all of us.”

In his first camp with the White Sox, Soroka has put forward some of the best numbers on the staff. Through four starts, he owns a 1.38 ERA through 13 innings, striking out 17 batters to the tune of a 0.92 WHIP. He has allowed just two runs all spring, one of which was a solo shot in his first start to Diamondbacks first baseman Andrés Chaparro, and has struck out five batters on three of his four outings while walking five.

Soroka has held opposing hitters to a .156 batting average. After such an impressive start, manager Pedro Grifol said last week that Soroka will get the ball for Game 2 of the season when Chicago hosts the Detroit Tigers March 30 at Guaranteed Rate Field.

“It feels awesome to get the game two start,” said Soroka. “When I originally talked to Getz following the trade, it was expected that I was going to compete to be part of the rotation and I felt like it was my position to lose heading into training camp. I knew that I had to go out and let everything fly to try and accomplish what I needed to get done.

“I still have one more game this spring and I am trying to not get too far ahead of myself but I am going to continue getting some work in to get ready for that start against the Tigers. Hopefully, I will have 30 more that follow that outing as well.”

When asked about what the right-hander had been focusing on this spring, the Junior National Team alum was quick to point out his work off the field that helped reshape his pitching mechanics.

“Since 2022, I have been working to clean up some mechanical issues that I think have been impacting my work on the mound, and it was awesome to see the White Sox embrace these same philosophies,” said Soroka. “Even when I was in triple-A last year, it was great to just keep working on different things and just trying to clean everything up to put myself in a position to compete every day and earn my shot back in the big leagues.

“I also continue to work on where I am as a pitcher today and now, as I think there were some things that I focused on in the past that may have limited me on the mound.”

For Soroka, he enters the 2024 season looking to make an impact for his new club in a new division, taking his talents to the AL Central. The former Calgary PBF Redbird has never made an appearance at Guaranteed Rate Field but has a solid track record within the division albeit with a small sample size.

He has faced both the Cleveland Guardians and Minnesota Twins once at their respective home stadiums and has allowed a combined three earned runs across 11 2/3 innings with four walks and seven strikeouts. Against the Twins, he went seven innings and did not allow an earned run in the contest.

Heading into the new season, the White Sox are projected to be near the bottom of the standings, but Soroka has every intention of helping his club play in October.

“For me, the goal for this season and every season moving forward is to help the White Sox reach the postseason,” said Soroka. “There will always be personal goals in place like avoiding the ‘L’ and pitching deep into games but I think this team can do the right things within the division and we can put ourselves in a position to compete for October baseball this season.”

Shushkewich: Ex-Brave Soroka has No. 2 spot in White Sox rotation