When Perry Minasian pulled the trigger on acquiring Jorge Soler back in October 2024, it seemed like a savvy move for the Los Angeles Angels. The designated hitter spot had been a revolving door of underperformance throughout the 2024 season. Soler, a proven slugger with a friendly contract, only cost the Angels Griffin Canning, who was already on his way out.
However, Soler's 2025 season turned out to be more of a trick than a treat. After a slow start, he was pushed into daily outfield duty, which led to various injuries and significant time on the sidelines.
The result? A disappointing .215/.293/.387 line.
With Mike Trout returning to center field, Soler will shift back to his comfort zone as the DH, potentially giving the Angels' lineup a much-needed boost in 2026.
Soler may not be a superstar, but he's been a reliable power hitter throughout his career, known for his three-true-outcomes style. His career .241 batting average doesn't jump off the page, but his ability to draw walks and hit home runs is exactly what the Angels need.
Last season, the Angels' lineup struggled with a collective .298 OBP, ranking near the bottom of the league, and their walk rate of 8.1% was less than stellar. Soler, who typically boasts a walk rate above 10%, saw a dip to 8.9% in 2025. Historically, he's been adept at drawing walks, with several seasons over 11% in recent years.
Power-wise, while his 48-homer season in 2019 was during the juiced-ball era, Soler still managed to hit 36 home runs in 2023 and consistently threatens to reach the 20-25 homer mark annually.
The key question is whether Soler can stay healthy. Returning to DH should help, sparing him from the rigors of outfield play and hopefully keeping his back issues at bay.
The Angels are banking on Soler rediscovering his form. Losing Taylor Ward is a bigger blow than many might admit, but if Soler can return to his 120 wRC+ days, hitting for power and drawing walks, the lineup will be significantly more potent.
It's always a gamble with players in their mid-30s, but given Soler's injury woes last season, there's hope that a clean bill of health could reignite his performance. That's the outcome the Angels are counting on for 2026.