Canadian Baseball Network POW, Week XII - Mike Soroka

June 28, 2023

By George Farelli

Canadian Baseball Network

Mike Soroka was named Minor League Baseball Network (MiLB.com) Pitcher of the Week in Triple A International League, for the period June 19-25, 2023.

This week he had another excellent start with triple-A Gwinnett in an 8-1 win over Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp in which he pitched seven innings, gave up one base hit and one earned run while striking out nine to earn his third win while on rehab this season. It has also earned him Canadian Baseball Network Player of the Week for Week XII

Getting to this point certainly was not easy, and here’s why. In 2019 at only 21, Soroka (Calgary, Alta.) showed signs that he was quickly emerging as a top of the rotation starter with the Atlanta Braves, when he posted a 13-4 record and was named a National League all-star. At year end, he finished second in voting for Rookie of the Year award, and sixth in voting for the National League Cy Young Award.

However, as often happens, life is unpredictable and the path moving forward can change drastically. In 2020, he tore his Achilles tendon, then in 2021, he tore it again while rehabbing his injury, and in 2022 he suffered shoulder inflammation problems.

These unfortunate events resulted in him being inactive for much of a three-year period. This trail of career altering injuries might have discouraged most normal athletes into seriously considering another line of work, but Soroka did not succumb and instead, he showed a remarkable amount of fortitude and determination, as he has worked tirelessly during this entire period to regain his health.

It seems his resolve has paid off, he is currently on a rehab stint with the Gwinnett Braves, and is on the cusp or returning full-time to the big league level with Braves, and I’m pretty sure every Canadian fan is rooting for him to succeed.

Best Offensive Performances

Name Class Team AB R H HR RBI Avg.

Anthony Quirion Rookie FCL Phils 15 3 8 - 1 .533

Nate Ochoa Rookie FCL Nationals 10 3 4 - 1 .400

Charles Leblanc AAA Jacksonville 10 1 4 - 1 .400

Tyler Black AA Biloxi 18 6 7 2 5 .389

Dasan Brown A Vancouver 22 2 8 - 1 .364

Jared Young AAA Iowa 25 7 9 3 8 .360

Matt Coutney A Tri City 24 3 8 1 2 .333

David McCabe A Rome 12 2 4 - 1 .333

T.J. Schofield-Sam A Stockton 20 2 6 - 2 .300

Dylan O’Rae Rookie ACL Brewers 10 4 3 - 1 .300

L.P. Pelletier IND Trois Rivieres 22 8 11 1 3 .500

Matt Warkentin IND Joliet 21 4 9 2 8 .429

David Glaude IND Quebec 10 2 4 1 2 .400

Kole Cottam IND Frederick 18 1 6 1 5 .333

Brendon Dadson IND Trois Rivieres 12 3 4 1 4 .333

T.J. Bennett IND Kane County 16 3 5 1 4 .312

Marc-Antoine Lebreux IND Quebec 23 4 7 - 1 .304

(Minimum 10 ABs)

Best Pitching Performances

Name Class Team G W SAVE ERA IP K WHIP

Mike Soroka AAA Gwinnett Braves 1 1 - 1.29 7.0 9 4.29

This may appear to be repetitive, in light of the fact that Soroka has been included in this segment in previous weeks but in reality, it’s simply giving credit where it’s due. (See above). He deserves accolades for another excellent start this week with Gwinnett, on June 22 in an 8-1 win over Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp. He pitched seven innings, gave up one base hit and one earned run while striking out nine, to earn the third win on his current rehab stint. His overall record with Gwinnett in 11 triple-A International League starts, stands at 3-2 with a 3.31 ERA and hopefully, recent results might indicate that another recall to the majors by Atlanta Braves in the near future, is very possible.

Name Class Team G W SAVE ERA IP K WHIP

Adam Tulloch A Lynchburg 1 1 - 1.50 6.0 5 .833

Tulloch was drafted twice, first by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 17th round in 2021 and again in the 15th round in 2022 by the Cleveland Guardians. The 22-year-old Tulloch (Toronto, Ont.) is currently active with the Guardians Single A affiliate Lynchburg Hillcats in the Carolina league, and this week had his longest and best outing of the season on June 23rd in a 3-1 win over Carolina Mudcats. He pitched six strong innings, gave up four base hits and one earned run while striking out five, to secure his third win of the year. His overall record with the Hillcats in 16 Carolina League appearances now stands at 3-2 with a 4.40 ERA, and in the process, has also generated 57 strikeouts in 43 innings.

Name Class Team G W SAVE ERA IP K WHIP

Jared Mortensen FGN Heidenheim 1 1 - 1.12 8.0 10 .500

Jared Mortensen continues to dominate with Heidenheim Heidekopfe in the German Bundesliga, and this week had another outstanding start on June 24 in a 10-1 win over Guggenberger Legionare. He pitched eight innings, surrendered three base hits and one earned run while striking out 10 Legionare batters, to secure his ninth win of the season. His overall 2023 record in 10 Bundesliga games, now stands at 9-0 with one save and a 1.45 ERA. As well, he currently has 76 strikeouts, and has given up only 34 base hits in 62 innings.

Canadians under contract who have not yet been assigned to an affiliate:

Adam Maier (Vancouver, BC) Atlanta

Jonah Tong (Markham, Ont.) New York Mets

Mathieu Voros (Montreal, Que.) New York Mets

Jordan Woods (Oakville, Ont.) Kansas City Royals

Jacob Zibin (Langley, BC) Cleveland

Calvin Ziegler (Kitchener, Ont.) New York Mets

Prrevious Players of the Week

Week I _ Edouard Julien (Ancienne-Lorette, Que.) triple-A St. Paul Saints (Twins)

Week II _ Cade Smith (Abbotsford, BC) double-A Akron RuberDucks (Guardians).

Week III _ Abraham Toro (Longuiel, Que.) triple-A Nashville Sounds (Brewers)

Week IV _ Denzel Clarke (Pickering, Ont.) double-A Midland (A’s) and Trei Cruz (Toronto, Ont.) double-A Erie (Tigers)