Joakim Soria

2013

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2012

Thought to be one of the most dependable closers in the game going into the season, Soria experienced failure for the first time in his career in 2011. He had 60 strikeouts, 17 walks and seven home runs allowed with a 4.03 ERA over 60.1 innings. It's those seven home runs that really did him in as four of them drove in two runs or more. While still hovering around 9.00 K/9IP, Soria's strikeout rate has decreased each of the last two seasons. This is no fluke as his swinging-strike rate has also fallen each of the last two seasons. His velocity however has not decreased, so owners should remain optimistic that Soria can get back to being among the elite closers in baseball for the 2012 season.

2011

Already one of the game's best closers, Soria posted arguably his best season as a pro in 2010. He induced a groundball nearly 50 percent of the time a batter put the ball in play while averaging better than a strikeout per inning en route to a 1.78 ERA. He may not be able to duplicate those numbers, but it's clear the 26-year-old will be one of the top closers in the game for awhile as long as he stays healthy. Even playing for the Royals, who haven't shown any inclination to trade the All-Star, hasn't been able to slow his ascent.

2010

Soria has quietly become one of the best closers in the game and had another dominant season in 2009. He strikes out better than a batter per inning with outstanding control (69:16 K:BB ratio). After a one-month stint on the disabled list in May, Soria returned to convert 30 of 33 save chances including all 10 of his opportunities in September. With his job security, he'll be near the top of any fantasy rankings of closers.

2009

Wow. Soria has gone from a Rule 5 draft pick to one of the league’s elite closers in a matter of two seasons. He saved 42 games for a team that was not all that good, and had his second consecutive sub-1.00 WHIP. Neither righties nor lefties could hit better than .171 off him, and he allowed just 19 walks in 63 games. The Royals figure to improve in 2009, which would potentially create more save opportunities, but they will have to re-solidify the path to Soria after trading some of the bullpen’s key middle relievers.

2008

Soria went from Rule 5 draft pick to a consistent closer in 2007 when called on to fill in for the injured, then traded, Octavio Dotel. He saved 17 out of 21 chances, to go with a WHIP of 0.942. He is a former starter, and there are some musings of moving him back to the rotation, but he is too good of an anchor to the bullpen. As long as the team progresses as it should, there is no reason to believe Soria can’t rack up 25-plus saves.

2007

Soria was plucked from the San Diego system during the Rule 5 draft based mostly on his work in the Mexican Winter League, where he tossed a perfect game. The Royals don't appear to have a solid bullpen entering camp, so Soria may find himself in the thick of things early.