Is this the year Michael Soroka finally finds his groove? The Arizona Diamondbacks are certainly banking on it.
After a tumultuous 2025 season that saw him briefly relegated to the bullpen, the D-Backs are giving the former All-Star another shot. Soroka made his much-anticipated debut for Arizona against the Detroit Tigers, and it was nothing short of spectacular.
Soroka dazzled over five perfect innings, striking out 10 batters without allowing a single run. This electric performance not only set the tone for his season but also etched his name into the Diamondbacks’ record books. According to Bob Nightengale, Soroka’s 10 strikeouts are the most by any pitcher in their debut for the franchise, surpassing the legendary Randy Johnson's nine strikeouts in his 1999 debut with the team.
The pinnacle of Soroka's outing came in the fifth inning. Facing the Tigers' lineup of Javier Baez, Kerry Carpenter, and Gleyber Torres, Soroka delivered an immaculate inning, striking out all three on just nine pitches. This feat places him among an elite group of Diamondbacks pitchers, joining the likes of Johnson, Byung-Hyun Kim, and Wade Miley.
Originally drafted 28th overall by the Braves in 2018, Soroka was once heralded as one of the league’s top young talents. He earned All-Star honors in 2019 and seemed destined for greatness in Atlanta. However, a series of injuries derailed his trajectory, leading to stints with the White Sox, Nationals, and Cubs before landing in Arizona.
The Diamondbacks are hopeful that Soroka's brilliant start signals a resurgence. After struggling in recent seasons, including a winless 2023 campaign (0-10 record, 4.74 ERA), Soroka seems poised to rewrite his story.
Could this be the year he finally puts it all together? Arizona fans certainly hope so.