Michael Soroka on strong start with Diamondbacks: ‘I think I’m better than I’ve ever been’

PHOENIX — A lot has happened in between starting pitcher Michael Soroka’s last two seven-inning gems.

On Aug. 22, 2019, Soroka was 21 years old fresh off making his first All-Star team with the Atlanta Braves.

When he completed seven innings for the Diamondbacks in a 6-3 win over Toronto on Friday, it snapped a nearly seven-year spell of getting that deep in a start, which tells a story about Soroka’s battle with injuries and his form at this stage of his career.

“I think I’m better than I’ve ever been,” Soroka said.

Soroka is a different pitcher than he was back then.

He delivers the ball from a lower angle (37 degrees to 28 degrees), throws it harder and leans on a four-seam fastball and slurve as opposed to a sinker and slider like he had in his breakout year.

The right-hander has been through the injury wringer since then, tearing his Achilles twice and dealing with a series of shoulder issues. He made 10 MLB appearances from 2020-23, which were four formative years with hardly any big league reps.

Soroka is only 28 years old now, and the past couple of seasons have been developmental in a sense. He feels that instead of learning who he is out there at this point, he can trust his stuff and go compete.

As he put it, he has been able to just get back to pitching.

“Everybody goes through some sort of injuries at some point in their career or struggles with performance,” Soroka said.

“I think for myself, it has always been there. I’ve always been able to show that ability and give teams a reason to believe in me. I’m very thankful that I’m with an (organization) that does as much as anybody. It’s easy to go out there and want to prove them right. Again, I’ve always seen it in myself. It means a lot when an organization sees that in me, too.”

Michael Soroka on wanting to prove the Diamondbacks right for having confidence in him. pic.twitter.com/v6CC0Co62R

— Arizona Sports (@AZSports) April 18, 2026

Having made those adjustments to his delivery and pitch mix — and finding some internal health solutions — it gave him and the Diamondbacks confidence entering this partnership.

Soroka said the Diamondbacks were aggressive in their pursuit of him, which was appreciated. He wanted a place where he could have the opportunity to show what he’s now built.

It is very early, only four games into his D-backs tenure, but the team is 4-0 in his starts, his 30% strikeout rate is 15th among MLB starters and he owns a very solid 2.87 ERA with a 3.02 FIP (fielding-independent pitching) that backs up the numbers.

He has pitched well enough early on to secure his rotation spot, even in a surplus with Merrill Kelly back from the injured list. Arizona moved Brandon Pfaadt to the bullpen when Kelly returned.

And there is internal optimism Soroka can continue to get better.

“He’s obviously been really good from a results perspective,” assistant general manager Jeremy Bleich told Arizona Sports. “We look at process. We look at how well he’s attacking the zone, how well he’s mixing, how well he’s holding velocity. All those things, I think, we haven’t even seen the best Soroka yet. So, I think it’s been fun because he’s always willing to learn, he’s always willing to evolve.”

Bleich said Soroka has some quality pitches in a vacuum, but the arsenal as a whole was what the team was excited about coming into the year. That’s consistent with what general manager Mike Hazen expressed when the one-year deal was signed this past winter.

Opponents are hitting under .161 against both his slurve and changeup, while he used the cutter to draw weak, early-count contact against the Blue Jays.

Manager Torey Lovullo and third baseman Nolan Arenado said they remember facing Soroka in 2019 with the Braves, which was a different experience.

“He says that he’s grown and learned as a pitcher,” Lovullo said. “I don’t want to say that I’m surprised by anything because I feel like he’s emerged and he’s paid his dues to be in this position. And it’s fun for us to watch.”

“He’s got great stuff,” Arenado said. “He  always has. I know he’s dealt with his fair share of injuries and different things. … Great competitor, hard worker, it’s been a lot of fun playing behind him. … I remember that he was more of a sinker baller. And now he’s firm now. He’s not a different pitcher, but he kind of is.”

Soroka was out of sight for so many years after living the high life as a young major leaguer that his success early this season has been a testament to his self-confidence and growth.

How sustainable is it? Whether he can continue this progress is becoming an impactful storyline to watch for with the Diamondbacks as we learn more about this version of the club’s identity and makeup.

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