Jorge Soler is a Cuban professional baseball player who has made a name for himself in the MLB. After a successful start with the Chicago Cubs, Soler was traded to the Kansas City Royals in 2016 where he had his breakout season in 2019.
However, in 2021 Soler struggled at the plate, leading to his eventual trade to the Atlanta Braves. Despite his early struggles in the season, Soler went on to become a key player for the Braves during their championship run, earning World Series MVP honors.
In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at what happened to Jorge Soler, from his early years in Cuba to his impressive performance in the 2021 postseason.
Soler’s Early Career
Jorge Soler was born on February 25, 1992, in Havana, Cuba. He grew up playing baseball in Cuba’s renowned youth baseball system, and by the time he was a teenager, he was considered one of the country’s top prospects.
However, in 2011, Soler defected from Cuba while playing for the country’s national team in the World Junior Baseball Championship in Canada.
After establishing residency in the Dominican Republic, Soler became eligible to sign with an MLB team. He was heavily scouted by several teams, but ultimately signed a nine-year, $30 million contract with the Chicago Cubs in June 2012.
Soler made his minor league debut later that year, hitting .299 with 12 home runs and 25 RBIs in 34 games split between the Rookie League and Class A levels.
Soler continued to climb the minor league ranks, showcasing his impressive power and offensive abilities. He made his MLB debut on August 27, 2014, against the Cincinnati Reds, where he went 2-for-4 with a home run in his first at-bat.
Over his rookie season, Soler played in 24 games, hitting .292 with five home runs and 20 RBIs, helping the Cubs to a playoff berth. Despite a few injury setbacks, Soler proved to be a promising young talent in the Cubs’ system.
Soler’s Time With the Kansas City Royals
In December 2016, the Chicago Cubs traded Soler to the Kansas City Royals in exchange for closer Wade Davis. Soler struggled with injuries and inconsistency in his first few seasons with the Royals, hitting just .238 with 24 home runs and 77 RBIs over 221 games from 2017 to 2019.
However, in 2019, Soler had a breakout season with the Royals. He played in all 162 games and set career highs in home runs (48) and RBIs (117), leading the American League in both categories. Soler’s impressive performance earned him a spot in the All-Star Game and he was named the Royals’ Player of the Year.
In 2020, Soler’s numbers regressed somewhat, but he still hit 8 home runs in 39 games. However, 2021 was a tough year for Soler at the plate. He hit just .223 with 13 home runs and 43 RBIs over 85 games with the Royals, struggling to get into a consistent rhythm.
As the trade deadline approached, the Royals dealt Soler to the Atlanta Braves for minor league pitcher Kasey Kalich.
Soler’s trade to the Braves came with low expectations, but he quickly proved his worth in Atlanta. He hit 13 home runs in just 43 games, including a 3-home run game against the New York Mets in early September.
Soler’s power surge continued into the playoffs, where he hit crucial home runs in several key games, including three home runs in the World Series.
His impressive performance in the postseason earned him the World Series MVP award, and he played a key role in the Braves winning their first championship in 26 years.
Soler’s Performance With the Atlanta Braves
After being traded to the Atlanta Braves, Jorge Soler quickly proved his worth by hitting well from the start. In his first game with the team, he hit a home run, and he continued to hit well throughout the remainder of the regular season.
In just 43 games with the Braves, Soler hit 13 home runs and drove in 37 RBIs, helping the team to win the National League East division title.
However, Soler’s real impact was felt in the postseason. He hit crucial home runs in several key games, including a go-ahead home run in Game 4 of the National League Championship Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
In the World Series against the Houston Astros, Soler hit three home runs and drove in six RBIs, including a mammoth 446-foot home run in Game 3 that helped the Braves secure their first win of the series.
Soler’s World Series performance was particularly impressive, as he hit a home run in each of the first three games, becoming just the third player in MLB history to accomplish this feat.
He finished the series with a .300 batting average, three home runs, six RBIs, and a 1.309 OPS, earning him the World Series MVP award.
Soler’s postseason performance helped the Braves to win their first championship in 26 years, and his clutch hitting in key moments was instrumental in the team’s success.
Despite a difficult regular season, Soler proved to be a valuable asset for the Braves, and his remarkable postseason performance will be remembered by fans for years to come.
Jorge Soler’s career statistics in the Major Leagues up to the end of the 2021 season:
| Year | Team | Games Played | Plate Appearances | Home Runs | RBIs | Batting Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | CHC | 24 | 89 | 5 | 20 | .292 |
| 2015 | CHC | 101 | 366 | 10 | 47 | .262 |
| 2016 | CHC | 86 | 264 | 12 | 31 | .238 |
| 2017 | KCR | 35 | 110 | 2 | 6 | .144 |
| 2018 | KCR | 61 | 257 | 9 | 28 | .265 |
| 2019 | KCR | 162 | 679 | 48 | 117 | .265 |
| 2020 | KCR | 43 | 174 | 8 | 24 | .228 |
| 2021 | KCR/ATL | 138 | 524 | 27 | 68 | .223 |
The table shows Soler’s year-by-year performance in the Major Leagues, including the number of games played, plate appearances, home runs, RBIs, and batting average for each season. The team column shows the team he played for in each year.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Jorge Soler’s nationality?
Jorge Soler is a Cuban professional baseball player.
What position does Jorge Soler play?
Jorge Soler primarily plays outfield, but he has also played some designated hitter throughout his career.
What teams has Jorge Soler played for in the Major Leagues?
Jorge Soler has played for the Chicago Cubs, Kansas City Royals, and Atlanta Braves in the Major Leagues.
What is Jorge Soler’s batting average?
Jorge Soler’s career batting average as of the end of the 2021 season is .239, with 117 home runs and 345 RBIs.
What is the significance of Jorge Soler’s World Series MVP award?
Jorge Soler’s World Series MVP award is significant because it recognizes his outstanding performance in the most important games of the baseball season. It is considered a great honor in the sport and is awarded to the player deemed to have had the most significant impact on the World Series.
To Recap
Jorge Soler’s career has been full of ups and downs, from his early success with the Chicago Cubs to his struggles with the Kansas City Royals, and finally to his incredible postseason performance with the Atlanta Braves.
Despite his inconsistent regular season performance in 2021, Soler proved to be a clutch performer in the playoffs, helping the Braves to win their first championship in 26 years and earning himself the World Series MVP award.
Soler’s journey serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of baseball and the importance of perseverance and hard work in achieving success at the highest level.
