Mike Soroka didn’t label his spring an audition for the Braves’ higher-ups. That would be considered an injustice to what the forward-thinking pitching prospect just experienced.
Impressing spectators wasn’t on the 20-year-old’s mind. It was instead a six-week trial to prove to himself he belongs.
Soroka closed his spring training, and possibly his final spring as a minor-leaguer, starting for the Future Stars team against the Braves in an exhibition at SunTrust Park on Tuesday. The Braves defeated the Future Stars 7-4.
The Canadian righty pitched only one inning, navigating through back-to-back hits to limit the damage to a run against Braves regulars.
“It was awesome just to get out there and get the opportunity to pitch at SunTrust for the first time,” Soroka said. “I’ve been able to go in a couple big stadiums, Marlins Park, Blue Jays stadium as well, but nothing like this. It’s a new experience because it’s a place you’re hoping to call home soon and for a while after that.”
Even better, according to Soroka, was getting to play for Hall of Fame manager Bobby Cox, who re-entered the dugout to head the Future Stars for a night.
“When I found out he was managing our team, I thought that was the greatest honor ever,” Soroka said. “He’s definitely going down as one of the greatest managers of all-time.”
Ender Inciarte singled on a liner past Soroka, and Ozzie Albies reached on a bunt to open the game. Freddie Freeman grounded into a fielder’s choice, but Inciarte scored on a wild pitch.
“You go pitch-by-pitch, just like anybody else,” Soroka said of facing regulars. “I got to see Albies play a lot and some other guys that are pretty dangerous. It’s nothing too new, but you know the situation. You need a good pitch to get guys out.
“Guys like Freddie Freeman, he’s an MVP-caliber player year-in-year-out. Just being able to match up against him and see what you’ve got. It’s pretty cool to see you’re competing at the same level as those guys. It’s a big confidence booster.”
Soroka stayed with his “always attack” philosophy despite the initially undesirable results. It paid off: He struck out Kurt Suzuki and Charlie Culberson to end the inning.
That wrapped up a spring in which Soroka made four appearances and allowed two runs in six innings. He struck out seven and walked none.
Reflecting on the past few weeks in Florida, Soroka wasn’t chatty about what was accomplished or if he accelerated the due date of his MLB debut. He decided to live in the moment and take in that milestone as he nears a larger one.
“Biggest thing for this spring was being able to come here and take a deep breath and really understand where you are and not just kind of motor through it,” Soroka said. “Being able to look around and realize what situation you’re in, it’s something you’re going to remember. I’m going to be able to look back on this spring and remember it pretty vividly, whereas I feel like a lot of guys go into it, rip through it and won’t know what happened. So I’m very fortunate for that.”
To be focused on what’s to come would go against Soroka’s level-headed judgement. This spring was about reassuring himself that the Braves are making a wise decision banking their future (a large part of it, anyway) on him.
“I don’t feel like it’s necessarily about showing (Braves executives) you’re belonging,” Soroka said. “It’s a lot for yourself and self-confidence. I feel like, just being able to go out there and show them you can compete, you’re not scared. You do have things to learn, but you’re willing to learn. That goes a long ways.”
While he confessed the adrenaline was pumping, Soroka appeared calm before the start. He relaxed in the clubhouse, hanging out with friends Kolby Allard, Kyle Wright and Ian Anderson, who followed him into the game.
“We got out there early today,” Soroka said. “I got to come out before (batting practice), take a look around and be with some of my buddies that I’ve been with for the last three years in the Braves organization. Obviously understanding that we all have the talent to do that, keeping the process real, making sure that all of us take everything pitch-by-pitch.”
Those are the moments he vows to cherish. Enjoying company in a big-league clubhouse, taking the SunTrust Park mound for the first time, looking back to see Ronald Acuna, Austin Riley and other upcomers behind him in the field.
It had significance, not just for Soroka personally, but because of the prominence the Braves place on their upcoming youth, and what the franchise hopes those players will achieve together.
“No doubt,” Soroka said.
