Soler of Astora
Jorge Soler (MIA): 2-4, 2 HR, 2 R, 4 RBI.
Praise the sun! Well, that’s the extent of my Dark Souls knowledge to make this pun work. Now that the important work is done, let’s talk about a player that hit 48 home runs in 2019 and is coming off an injury-filled first year in Miami.
Jorge Soler dealt with injuries that lingered throughout the year, keeping him sidelined for a few games here and there, then come the end of June a pelvis injury led him to the IL and a lingering back injury sent him off the field for the remainder of the year. I feel like hitting with power requires a solid pelvis and back, so injuries like that can frighten me. He opted for a core strengthening program versus surgery this offseason and so far he’s shown his strength.
Soler blasted a 409-foot homer as well as a 114 mph blast for his two hits of the day adding four RBI. Those were his second and third home runs of the season. He has also hit three doubles already this year. He has been hitting DH nearly exclusively with one start in the outfield which should help keep him in the batter’s box. And that’s what we’re worried about. If he is still healthy he’ll be crushing the ball and should finish the season close to 30 home runs. There is not much else to his game but if he can reclaim that power, he is certainly a worthwhile fantasy player.
Let’s see how the other hitters did Wednesday
Pete Alonso (NYM): 2-4, 2 HR, 2 R, 4 RBI.
The polar bear broke out of his cage against Corbin Burnes with two big home runs, one an oppo shot at 397 feet and the other a 112 mph, 424-foot bomb. Pete shook off some rust after going hitless in his previous three games. Despite the lack of hits, Alonso has four walks and only four strikeouts. For a slugger, Alonso’s sub-20% K rate over the past two seasons is impressive.
Jeremy Peña (HOU): 2-5, 2B, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI.
Peña took advantage of the short porch in left field, at home, with a double off the top of the wall and a home run that barely made it over that same wall. That dinger was his first of the season and the double was his first hit in three games. It’s been a difficult start for the Houston shortstop coming off a stellar rookie campaign. He is leading off for the ‘Stros despite the sub-.300 OBP in 2022. I find it hard to believe that he’ll keep that role for too long despite Jose Altuve still being sidelined.
Jesús Aguilar (OAK): 2-5, 2B, HR, R, 3 RBI.
One of Oakland’s big pickups in the off-season (that’s sarcasm), Aguilar has the opportunity to be a power threat at the top of a lineup. Not a good one, but a one. He swatted a couple of extra-base hits including a 100 mph dinger. It has been a few years since his 35 home runs in 2018 with Milwaukee and it will take a lot to recapture that, especially with Oakland.
Carlos Santana (PIT): 2-4, 2B, HR, R, 2 RBI, BB.
The Pirates adding Santana is a nearly identical move to Oakland adding Aguilar. And Santana also hit his first dinger while adding a double, hitting in the heart of the order. Both of his extra-base hits were over 10o mph and his homer barely snuck over the wall by Pesky’s Pole in right field at Fenway. Santana hasn’t had a season hitting above .214 since 2019 but he still shows value in an OBP league with his walk rate in the teens every year. He still has some pop and will have decent counting stats for some deeper leagues.
Jordan Walker (STL): 2-4, 2B, HR, R, 2 RBI.
Welcome to the Big Leagues! Walker was smoking the ball all over the field against Atlanta with three balls hit hard, including his first big league home run. It was a laser beam into the left field stands travelling 383 feet. He has hit safely in each of his first six games.
Chas McCormick (HOU): 2-4, 2B, HR, R, 2 RBI.
This seems like a trend for Astros players, but McCormick crushed a home run into the left-field Crawford Boxes as well. He also threw in a 357-foot automatic double before striking out in his final two at-bats. He hasn’t been in the lineup every day and only had 407 plate appearances last year as well. Regardless, he’s been getting on base and has stolen three bags already. He only stole four in each of ’21 and ’22, so he should be on pace to set his single-season record.
Josh Jung (TEX): 2-4, HR, R, 3 RBI.
Jung had a brief 26-game stint in the majors last year with an 81 wRC+ and 38.2% strikeout rate. So far in 2023, Jung is off to a strong start though. He popped his second dinger of the year with a 378-foot smash. He added a single and two other outs at 94 and 93 MPH. It’s an exciting year for Jung in the midst of a fun Rangers lineup where he can be poised for a breakout. If he keeps hitting the ball hard and limiting his strikeouts he should put up a solid season.
Gleyber Torres (NYY): 3-4, 2B, 2 RBI, 2 SB.
After two struggling seasons, Torres bounced back a bit last year with 24 homers, 10 steals, and 149 total runs and RBI. And that has continued in the first week of this year. He’s already stolen five bases, hit two homers, and struck out only twice. He’s also walking at a 24% clip in the first six games. He is still just 26 years old.
Joey Wiemer (MIL): 1-4, HR, R, 3 RBI.
The Brewers took turns teeing off of the Mets’ pitching in this past series and it was finally rookie Joey Wiemer’s turn. He crushed a 385-foot blast with two runners on for his first career home run. He had back-to-back 20/20 seasons in the minors and looks to take that power/speed combo with him to the majors this season.
Jesse Winker (MIL): 2-4, 2 2B, R, 2 RBI.
After leaving Great American Ballpark, Winker finally had his first full season last year. He played 136 games with Seattle and had 547 plate appearances, but he put up his worst season even by fWAR. Now with a fresh start in Milwaukee, Winker looks to take his large walk rate and add some hitting on top of that. He had his first two extra-base hits of the season, both 106 mph doubles, and he also hit a 102 mph lineout. He’s been crushing the ball and still walking, so there are early signs of life on planet Winker.
Photo by Peter Joneleit/Icon Sportswire | Featured Image by Ethan Kaplan (@DJFreddie10 on Twitter and @EthanMKaplanImages on Instagram)