Joakim Soria continues to shine in spring training

March 21, 2014. Goodyear, Ariz – Texas Rangers pitcher Joakim Soria continues to dominate hitters in spring training. Yesterday against the Cincinnati Reds Soria only needed 3 pitches, all for strikes, to finish the inning. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Goodyear, Ariz  – Texas Rangers pitcher Joakim Soria continues to dominate hitters in spring training.  Yesterday against the Cincinnati Reds Soria only needed 3 pitches to finish the inning.

The downside, Joakim Soria only pitched 3 strikes to 3 batters yesterday.  Which didn’t give the Rangers much to look at, besides being highly efficient, yesterday.  He was able to get a pop out, allowed a deep fly ball for a hit then a double play ball grounder.  Neftali Feliz and Soria are still deadlocked for the Texas Rangers closer role.  If Opening day were tomorrow, the odds are Feliz will get the position.  Basically, Feliz will get the position because he was the closer before Joe Nathan was signed in 2012.

But, Soria has made a strong case to be the closer.  He current has an 0.00 ERA with with 6 strike outs over 6 innings.  If Neftali Feliz is the Opening day closer, he will likely be on a short leash.  Don’t be surprised if Soria gets the nod to take over and Feliz is moved as the setup man.

Joakim Soria’s Career Stats 

Courtesy of Baseball Reference.com

There are still 10 days left in camp, and I expect Ron Washington to start putting but Neftali Feliz and Joakim Soria in save situations.  Feliz has been improving and has more zip on his fastball, but Joakim Soria has remained solid.  This battle may go down to the wire, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Washington made a decision within the next few days.