Gregory Soto was a late arrival to spring training because of issues with his visa.
Not surprisingly, he got off to a slow start with the Philadelphia Phillies.
As the Phillies have surged, so has Soto.
In Soto’s last 10 1/3 innings, he has compiled 14 strikeouts with a 0.96 ERA. A minor tweak to his delivery has produced remarkable results.
He’s beginning to look like the two-time All-Star the Phillies acquired from the Detroit Tigers in a package which included Matt Vierling and Nick Maton.
“It’s more slide step and not the big high leg kick and then slide step,” manager Rob Thomson said of Soto’s delivery. “So it’s consistent, very simple, and he’s just filling the strike zone up. His slider’s been good, throwing it for strikes. He’s throwing the changeup every once in a while to right-handed hitters. He’s been – I don’t know if there’s two other lefties in baseball that are as good as (Soto and Jose Alvarado) right now.”
Soto said that he’s getting more comfortable as each game passes. Changing clubs is never easy.
“I just want to help the team win, that’s where my mind is right now,” Soto told reporters. “I want to help out wherever they need me to help out.”
The left-handed Soto went 2-11 with a 3.28 ERA and 30 saves last season with the Tigers, making his second consecutive All-Star berth.
Joining a stocked bullpen with the likes of Alvarado, Seranthony Dominguez and Craig Kimbrel hasn’t been easy. Roles are constantly changing.
For now, Soto appears locked in. He’s throwing strikes with all his pitches. He’s been nearly unhittable recently.
That’s why the Phillies traded for him.
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