What to Expect from Soroka in 2020

The 2019 Major League Baseball (MLB) campaign was a revelation for Calgary pitcher Mike Soroka.

A quick look at his accomplishments from last year shows that. He was a National League (NL) Rookie of the Year runner-up; he finished sixth in NL Cy Young voting; he won the Tip O’Neill Award, which honours Canada’s best baseball player; he pitched a three-up, three-down inning in the MLB All-Star Game; and he was a finalist for the Lou Marsh Award, given annually to the nation’s top athlete. Those are just the Coles Notes on a season filled with impressive firsts for the young man.

So, what can we expect from the 22-year-old during his sophomore season?

5 Players We’re Watching in 2020

Let’s be honest. We know we will be watching more than just five players.

But with the baseball season fast-approaching, we thought it would be fun to gaze into our crystal baseball.

One undeniable conclusion: there will be no shortage of storylines heading into 2020 from the professional ranks right down to the community ball parks in Alberta.

State of Alberta’s Game 2019

There is no shortage of topics of discussion for baseball officials heading into 2020.

The game’s growth has been front and centre as we see more talent make their way to higher levels, but enrollment, training and coaching will also be on their radar.

We chatted with Baseball Alberta’s Darren Dekinder recently for his analysis of 2019 and what’s to come in the new year.

Alberta’s All-Decade Squad

‘Tis the season for year-end and decade-end lists.

We decided to put a different spin on those lists with a roster of Alberta’s baseball talent to suit up between 2010 and 2019.

From an MLB phenom to college stars to women’s national team stalwarts, take a look at who we think deserves recognition for their performances.

Soroka Just Getting Started

It’s a frightening scenario for opposing batters next season: an improved Mike Soroka on the mound in 2020.

In some ways, that hardly seems possible.

The towering right-handed pitcher from Calgary is coming off a storybook rookie season for the Atlanta Braves that saw him post a 13-4 record, 2.68 earned run average (ERA) and 142 strikeouts over 174.2 innings.