Mike Soroka

What they’re saying: Facing rookie-class Dominican Summer League teams: 91-93 MPH vs. the Yankees, threw three scoreless innings with three strikeouts on 36 pitches one walk, allowed a  lead off single in the third. .... Dominant vs. Twins struck out first 5 batters faced, 5 perfect innings, throwing 52 pitches before Jays assistant GM Andrew Tinnish and Tony Arias of the Cincinnati Reds, mostly 88-91 MPH ... Facing MLB Prospects who are eligible to sign as free agents July 2 in front of Jays scout Jamie Lehman, pitched five scoreless innings without allowing a hit or a walk, striking out eight. Two runners reached on errors ... Through three outings in the Dominican he threw 13 innings and allowed one hit and one walk, while fanning 16 batters ... Gave up four runs in 5 IPs before Jays scout Chuck LaMarr in Kalispell, Mt. ... 9 up 9 down vs. Jays extended in front of Jays GM and 75 scouts ... 3 scoreless vs. Braves ... "Was clean easy, what you dream about, dream of, was 91-94 MPH and does it with a crystal clean arm action ... Struck out Casey Gillaspie (20th over-all pick last June) in March ... 92 MPH at Okotoks bureau camp ... "Best Canadian HS arm since Phillippe Aumont" .... Four pitches, command fastball, curve, slider, change ... Chris Reitsma has done a great job.

On other lists

56th on Keith Law's ESPN top 100.

60th on MLB Pipeline (up from 94th)

75th on Perfect Game's top 500 HS list (up from 94th).

90th on Baseball America top 500 combined list.

3rd on Baseball America's top HS Canadian list.

3rd of Perfect Game USA top HS Canuck list.

Perfect Game Ranking:

75. Mike Soroka, rhp, Bishop Carroll HS
R/R, 6-5/210, Calgary, Alberta
College Commitment: California

Ontario and British Columbia are usually Canada's baseball hotbeds but Soroka hails from Calgary, where he is mentored by former big league righthander Chris Reitsma. He has a smooth delivery with a low tension high three-quarters arm action that produces a fastball that has been in the 90-94 mph range this spring. Soroka throws an 80 mph slider for his breaking ball that can get slurvish at time with a big, sweeping break to it. He also throws a quality changeup with good fading action. Soroka was especially impressive on the Canadian National Junior Team's March trip to Florida and elevated himself into near the same prospect level as top Canadian hitters Demi Oromoloye and Josh Naylor.

Baseball America, 90.

Scouting Report:

There hasn't been a player out of Alberta selected in the top 100 picks since the Red Sox picked Chris Reitsma 34th overall in 1996, and while Soroka probably won't go that high, he should end up off the board in the first few rounds in June. Armed with three pitches, Soroka attacks hitters with a low 90s fastball that he can spot down and to both sides of the plate. His best pitch is his above-average curveball, which projects as a plus pitch. In a spring start against the Toronto Blue Jays, Soroka's breaking ball froze righthanded hitters, including star catcher Russell Martin. The pitch is as tight as any breaking ball in this class, and breaks very late as it drops into the bottom of the strike zone with 12-to-6 or 11-to-5 shape. Soroka also has feel for a changeup, which scouts see as a potential average pitch. There's some concern about the across-body finish to his arm action, but he has no history of arm trouble and has a physical, 6-foot-5 body. Soroka projects as a middle of the rotation starter, though he is a strong student and may be tough to sign away from his commitment to California.

MLB Prospects

Mike Soroka | Rank: 60

School: Bishop Caroll HS (Alb.) Year: Senior. Position: RHP Age: 17 DOB: 8/4/1997 Bats: R Throws: R Height: 6'4" Weight: 200 lb.

Commitment: California

Scouting Grades: Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 50 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 50 | Overall: 50

The Canadian bats -- Josh Naylor and Demi Orimoyole -- have made more of the noise "North of the Border," but Soroka might just sneak up on everyone and be the best Canadian in the class when all is said and done.

Working with pitching coach Chris Reitsma as part of the Canadian Junior National Team, Soroka has come a long way in the last year. He's been throwing his fastball up to 94 mph, consistently sitting at 92 mph this spring. Both his curve and his changeup could eventually be above-average Major League offerings, with the latter currently being a bit ahead of the former. The Cal-Berkley commit has a projectable frame with the chance to get stronger and should have an easily repeatable delivery.

The last time Canada saw a high school arm go in the top three rounds was Jake Eliopoulos back in 2009. A team that belives in Soroka's upside could decide to pull the trigger in the same neck of the woods.