Rafael Soriano is a former professional baseball player who played as a relief pitcher in Major League Baseball (MLB) for over a decade. He was born on December 19, 1979, in San Jose, Dominican Republic. Soriano began his professional baseball career in 1996 when he signed with the Seattle Mariners as an amateur free agent.
Soriano made his MLB debut with the Mariners in 2002 and played for them until 2006. During his time with the Mariners, Soriano was primarily used as a relief pitcher and had a record of 5-8 with an ERA of 3.86. In 2006, Soriano was traded to the Atlanta Braves, where he played for two seasons.
Soriano's best season came in 2010 when he played for the Tampa Bay Rays. He had a record of 3-2 with an ERA of 1.73 and recorded 45 saves, which led the American League. Soriano was named to the All-Star team that year and finished 12th in the AL MVP voting.
After his successful season with the Rays, Soriano became a free agent and signed a two-year contract with the New York Yankees. He played for the Yankees from 2011 to 2012 and was primarily used as a setup man for closer Mariano Rivera. In 2012, Soriano became the Yankees' closer after Rivera suffered a season-ending injury. Soriano recorded 42 saves that season and helped the Yankees reach the playoffs.
Soriano played his final season in MLB in 2015 with the Chicago Cubs. He had a record of 2-0 with an ERA of 6.35 in 23 appearances. Soriano announced his retirement from baseball in 2016.
Throughout his career, Soriano was known for his fastball, which he could throw up to 97 miles per hour, and his slider. He was also known for his ability to pitch in high-pressure situations and was considered one of the best relief pitchers in MLB during his prime.
In conclusion, Rafael Soriano had a successful career as a relief pitcher in MLB, playing for several teams over the course of more than a decade. He was known for his fastball and slider and his ability to pitch in high-pressure situations. Soriano's best season came in 2010 when he led the AL in saves and was named to the All-Star team. He retired from baseball in 2016.
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