TEMPE, Ariz. — When José Soriano was at his best, he was everything the Angels could want in a young anchor to their rotation.
The problem happened in the other games, which were too frequent.
Soriano gave up at least seven runs in four of his starts and five runs in four others. He also gave up no runs or one run in 14 starts.
All of that added up to a 4.26 ERA.
“Just dominant, then had a few starts where he just gave up all those runs in one or two innings, which I think kind of skewed his numbers for the total year,” Angels catcher Travis d’Arnaud said. “I think the experience will help him get over that.”
Soriano, who made his 2026 spring debut Saturday, didn’t have many answers for the inconsistency last year, or when reflecting this spring.
“Just trust in myself,” Soriano said. “Try not to think too much of those bad games. Just stay focused the whole game.”
Six of the eight worst games were at Angel Stadium, which also puzzled Soriano.
“I don’t know, man,” he said. “Sometimes things like that happen and we can’t control that. Control what you can control. I don’t try to think too much. Just try to give my best.”
Last season, Soriano had the chance to talk to Hall of Famer Pedro Martinez, a fellow Dominican, to get some advice on the mental parts of the game.
The physical parts are there.
Soriano’s repertoire includes a 97-mph sinker that hitters pound into the ground. He led the majors with a 65% ground-ball rate and 30 ground-ball double plays last season. The next closest were Framber Valdez and Logan Webb, who each induced 22 double plays.
“It’s disgusting,” d’Arnaud said. “That sinker’s real. You can know it’s coming and it’s still really, really hard to hit.”
He also throws a knuckle curve, a splitter, a four-seam fastball and a changeup.
“His breaking ball is real too,” d’Arnaud said. “And last year he learned the split and got really confident with the split. And I know sometimes he has a slider too. And we even effectively used his four-seam too, when you can tell guys are sitting on sinker to get a either a cheap pop-up or a swing-and-miss, whatever.”
D’Arnaud said new pitching coach Mike Maddux has worked this spring with Soriano on getting more quick outs.
On Saturday, his game was a microcosm of his career. Every batter he faced struck out, walked or hit a ground ball. All three ground balls were singles, and he gave up four runs.
“Taking out the result, I think it was good,” Soriano said. “I was pounding the zone, feeling good. So, I think that’s the most important, feeling good. We have more outings to come.”
This will be Soriano’s fourth season in the majors, and his third as a starter. Soriano, 27, had a 3.42 ERA in 113 innings in 2024, which created such high expectations for last season.
Although Soriano didn’t take the step forward the Angels had hoped, manager Kurt Suzuki said he’s still optimistic.
“He’s young,” Suzuki said. “He’s definitely making adjustments. This guy works hard. He’s got a great attitude. And obviously the talent. We know the talent is there. I expect him to have a big season. I know he expects himself to have a big season. Every single day we’ll figure out ways to get him better. To me, we’ve got the best pitching coach in the league here and I’m feeling confident.”
NOTES
Mike Trout is scheduled to make his spring debut Sunday, playing center field. After moving to right field last season, Trout said his goal is to be able to return to center this season. The Angels will use him at all three positions in the spring and make an evaluation. …
The Angels have been bringing minor-league pitchers to big-league camp to have them pitch to hitters who want to see more live pitching than what they get from the big-league pitchers in camp. Trout is one of the players who has been hitting early against the minor-leaguers. Suzuki said it was hitting coach Brady Anderson’s idea. “Everybody wants them,” Suzuki said. “On the flip side, it’s really good for some of these (pitchers), the experience. They get to throw live batting practice to to Mike Trout, (Zach) Neto, (Jorge) Soler, all the big guys. I think it’s a win-win for both parties.” …
Right-hander Nick Sandlin, who is rehabbing from elbow surgery, continues to make progress. “He’s been throwing off a mound,” Suzuki said. “He’s about to get some (live batting practice) in. He’s doing great.” Sandlin is arguably the best of the non-roster invitees on the bullpen depth chart. He has a career 3.19 ERA in 228 big-league games. …
Catching coach Max Stassi said his son Jax is doing well. “He’s definitely the hardest worker in our household,” Stassi said. “A lot of therapies and appointments, but he smiles every day. He’s enjoying every single day.” Jax was just 1½ pounds when he was born three months prematurely in March 2023, and Stassi missed the entire Angels season to be with his wife and son as the infant battled multiple health issues.
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