FanPost

Soria is awesome

Nice victory last night, for once the offense wasn't singles-based, as we saw the boys bust out with some doubles too. Huzzaa! Cookierojas73's diary got me thinking, when was the last time the Royals had a reliever as effective as Soria? Maybe Andy Sisco, 2005 edition? I'll be on the island of Saba today, getting back to home base just in time for Royals-Red Sox.-RR

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While watching Joakim Soria strike out J.D. Drew just now, it just occured to me that the guy (Soria, that is) has been more effective out of the pen this year for the Royals than any pitcher in years...many years. Then, when I took a moment to actually look up the numbers, I was floored...they were even better than I thought.  Am I forgetting about someone in the past 10 years or so who pitched better than him? I can't imagine who, but please correct me if I have. I'm talking about guys that pitched serious innings only.

Here are Soria's stats for this year, coming into tonight's game:

IP: 38 1/3
H: 26
R: 10
ER: 9
BB: 14
SO: 45
SV: 10
ERA: 2.11
WHIP: 1.04
BA against: .190
HR against: 0

Not a single HR allowed...look at the H vs. IP...averaging well over a K per IP...And if you look up at his split stats, lefties are only batting .140 against him. The only minor nitpick you can find with the guy is the occasional walk. But other than that...wow. The A.L. hasn't really touched him.

I don't mean to annoint the guy here, but when is the last time we've had a guy this good in the bullpen? He just has to be the permanent closer next year, if not sooner (once Dotel gets jettisoned for hopefully a decent prospect). What a tremendous Rule 5 pickup.

Chris

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