Joakim Soria
Encyclopedia
Joakim Agustín Soria Ramos (born May 18, 1984) is a Mexican right-handed baseball
relief pitcher
for the Kansas City Royals
of Major League Baseball
. He has been nicknamed The Mexicutioner, although in February 2011, he stated that he no longer wanted to be associated with that nickname due to violence in his home country.
(in the Mexican Baseball League) and Yaquis de Obregón
in the Winter League. He played for the Class-A Fort Wayne Wizards
as well. On December 9, 2006 in the Mexican Winter League, Soria threw a perfect game
against the Naranjeros de Hermosillo.
in the Rule 5 draft out of the San Diego Padres
organization.
's club record of 11. He was scored on in just two of 35 outings. He went 16 1/3 innings before giving up a run and in one stretch retired 24 straight batters.
On May 17, 2008, Soria signed a 3-year, 8.75 million dollar extension to his contract with the Royals, following his impressive performance as the team's closer in the first quarter of the season.
Soria's fantastic start led to him being selected to play in the 2008 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
. Soria was the Royals' lone representative in the All-Star Game. He was the first Royals closing pitcher to be named an All-Star since Mike MacDougal
in 2003
. He pitched 1⅔ innings, striking out the Florida Marlins
' Dan Uggla
and New York Mets
' David Wright.
.
Soria was picked for the 2010 All-Star Game
, the second of his career. He finished the season with a 1.78 ERA and 43 saves in 46 opportunities.
on May 30. After a couple of good relief appearances in a non-closer role, Yost announced on June 6 that Soria had earned the position back.
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
relief pitcher
Relief pitcher
A relief pitcher or reliever is a baseball or softball pitcher who enters the game after the starting pitcher is removed due to injury, ineffectiveness, fatigue, ejection, or for other strategic reasons, such as being substituted by a pinch hitter...
for the Kansas City Royals
Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...
of Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
. He has been nicknamed The Mexicutioner, although in February 2011, he stated that he no longer wanted to be associated with that nickname due to violence in his home country.
Mexican League career
Soria has played for his country's Diablos Rojos del MéxicoDiablos Rojos del México
Diablos Rojos del México is a professional baseball team in the Mexican League.This team is located in Mexico City. The team name, Diablos Rojos del México, means Mexico City Red Devils. It is often believed that they are named after the Cincinnati Reds. That is, however, not the case...
(in the Mexican Baseball League) and Yaquis de Obregón
Yaquis de Obregón
The Yaquis de Obregón is a Mexican baseball team of the Liga Mexicana del Pacífico .The team was founded on October 8, 1970, and its home stadium is the Estadio Tomás Oroz Gaytán. They have been champions of the league on five occasions. The first time was at the 1965–1966 season with Manuel...
in the Winter League. He played for the Class-A Fort Wayne Wizards
Fort Wayne Wizards
The Fort Wayne TinCaps are a Class A minor league baseball team, affiliated with the San Diego Padres, that plays in the Midwest League. They won their first Midwest League Championship in 2009.-History:...
as well. On December 9, 2006 in the Mexican Winter League, Soria threw a perfect game
Perfect game
A perfect game is defined by Major League Baseball as a game in which a pitcher pitches a victory that lasts a minimum of nine innings and in which no opposing player reaches base. Thus, the pitcher cannot allow any hits, walks, hit batsmen, or any opposing player to reach base safely for any...
against the Naranjeros de Hermosillo.
2006
In 2006, Soria was drafted at the age of 22 by the Kansas City RoyalsKansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...
in the Rule 5 draft out of the San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
organization.
2007
Soria debuted for the Royals in the 2007 season, and had a record of 2–3 with 17 saves and an ERA of 2.48.2008
Soria opened the 2008 season with 13 straight saves, breaking Al HraboskyAl Hrabosky
Alan Thomas "Al" Hrabosky is a former Major League Baseball player from - for the St. Louis Cardinals, Kansas City Royals and Atlanta Braves and is currently the color commentator on Cardinals regular season broadcasts on FSN Midwest...
's club record of 11. He was scored on in just two of 35 outings. He went 16 1/3 innings before giving up a run and in one stretch retired 24 straight batters.
On May 17, 2008, Soria signed a 3-year, 8.75 million dollar extension to his contract with the Royals, following his impressive performance as the team's closer in the first quarter of the season.
Soria's fantastic start led to him being selected to play in the 2008 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
2008 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The 2008 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 79th midseason exhibition between the all-stars of the American League and the National League , the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball. The game was played at Yankee Stadium in The Bronx, New York, home of the New York Yankees, on...
. Soria was the Royals' lone representative in the All-Star Game. He was the first Royals closing pitcher to be named an All-Star since Mike MacDougal
Mike MacDougal
Robert Meiklejohn MacDougal is a relief pitcher in Major League Baseball, who is currently a free agent...
in 2003
2003 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The 2003 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 74th midsummer classic between the all-stars of the American League and National League , the two leagues constituting Major League Baseball. The game was held on July 15, 2003 at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago, Illinois, the home of the Chicago...
. He pitched 1⅔ innings, striking out the Florida Marlins
Florida Marlins
The Miami Marlins are a professional baseball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. Established in 1993 as an expansion franchise called the Florida Marlins, the Marlins are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Marlins played their home games at...
' Dan Uggla
Dan Uggla
Daniel Cooley Uggla is an American professional baseball second baseman with the Atlanta Braves of Major League Baseball....
and New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
' David Wright.
2009
Soria had injuries but he finished the year strong with a 3–2 record with 30 saves out of 33 chances.2010
On May 26 Soria got his 100th save against the Texas RangersTexas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
.
Soria was picked for the 2010 All-Star Game
2010 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The 2010 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 81st midseason exhibition between the All-Stars of the American League and the National League , the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball...
, the second of his career. He finished the season with a 1.78 ERA and 43 saves in 46 opportunities.
2011
Soria struggled out of the gate in the 2011 season, blowing five of his first twelve save opportunities. After blowing saves on back to back days, Soria was replaced as closer by Aaron CrowAaron Crow
Aaron J. Crow is an American professional baseball pitcher with the Kansas City Royals of Major League Baseball.-Early life:...
on May 30. After a couple of good relief appearances in a non-closer role, Yost announced on June 6 that Soria had earned the position back.