Jorge Carlos Soler Castillo is a Cuban professional baseball player. He is currently an outfielder and designated hitter for the San Francisco Giants. Soler has also played for the Chicago Cubs, Kansas City Royals, Atlanta Braves, and Miami Marlins during his career in Major League Baseball (MLB).
February 25, 1992: Birth of Jorge Soler
Jorge Carlos Soler Castillo was born on February 25, 1992.
2010: Projected Top Draft Pick
Had Soler been eligible for the 2010 MLB Draft, experts like Jim Callis believed he would have been a top-five selection.
2010: World Junior Baseball Championship and Cuban National Series
Representing the Cuban national baseball team at the 2010 World Junior Baseball Championship, Soler showcased his talent with a .304 batting average, .500 on-base percentage, and .522 slugging percentage. His performance earned Cuba a bronze medal. Additionally, he briefly played with the Industriales in the Cuban National Series during this time.
2011: Defection from Cuba
In 2011, Soler made the significant decision to defect from Cuba to pursue a career in Major League Baseball (MLB).
2011: Scouting Reports and Potential
In 2011, Soler was garnering significant attention from MLB scouts. Jim Callis of Baseball America recognized his "five-tool potential," while comparisons to Yoenis Céspedes, another highly touted Cuban prospect, began to surface.
June 2, 2012: Free Agent Eligibility
On June 2, 2012, Soler's status as an MLB free agent was confirmed after receiving clearance from the Office of Foreign Assets Control, paving the way for him to sign with an MLB team.
June 11, 2012: Signing with the Chicago Cubs and Professional Debut
On June 11, 2012, Soler's talent and potential were acknowledged when he signed a lucrative nine-year, $30 million contract with the Chicago Cubs, marking the beginning of his professional baseball journey. He made his professional debut that same season with the AZL Cubs, the organization's rookie-level affiliate, and quickly showcased his abilities, earning a promotion to the Peoria Chiefs, the Cubs' Single-A affiliate.
2012: Top Prospect Status and Temperament Concerns
Leading up to the 2012 season, Soler's talent was undeniable, with some scouts even ranking him ahead of fellow Cuban prospect Yoenis Céspedes. Keith Law of ESPN.com saw him as a potential top-five draft pick. However, concerns lingered regarding his temperament and past instances where he was benched for not hustling. Despite these concerns, Soler's raw talent continued to intrigue MLB teams.
April 10, 2013: Incident with Clearwater Threshers
On April 10, 2013, while playing for the Daytona Cubs, the Cubs' High-A affiliate, Soler was involved in a bench-clearing incident that resulted in him charging the opposing Clearwater Threshers' dugout with a baseball bat. His actions led to his ejection from the game, a fine, and a five-game suspension. This incident brought to light concerns about Soler's temperament and his ability to control his emotions on the field.
July 22, 2014: Promotion to the Iowa Cubs
Soler's performance at the Double-A level earned him a promotion to the Iowa Cubs, the Cubs' Triple-A affiliate, on July 22, 2014.
August 25, 2014: Call-Up to the Chicago Cubs
On August 25, 2014, Soler's lifelong dream was realized when he received his first call-up to the Chicago Cubs, marking his arrival in Major League Baseball.
2014: MLB Debut
Jorge Soler made his much-anticipated MLB debut in 2014.
2015: Starting Right Fielder and Ankle Injury
In 2015, Soler earned the starting right fielder position for the Cubs, demonstrating his rapid ascent in the organization. However, his season was unfortunately cut short due to an ankle injury in early June, sidelining him for a significant portion of the year. After a period of rehabilitation, he returned to the starting lineup on July 5, eager to contribute to the team's success.
2015: Postseason Debut and Record-Setting Performance
Soler's postseason debut in 2015 was nothing short of remarkable. He made history by reaching base nine consecutive times, showcasing a combination of power and patience at the plate. His performance played a crucial role in the Cubs' victory over their rivals, the St. Louis Cardinals, in the National League Division Series, propelling them to the National League Championship Series.
December 7, 2016: Trade to the Kansas City Royals
On December 7, 2016, Soler's time with the Chicago Cubs came to an end when he was traded to the Kansas City Royals in exchange for closer Wade Davis. This trade marked a significant turning point in his career as he embarked on a new chapter with a new team.
2016: World Series Champion with the Chicago Cubs
Jorge Soler achieved a major milestone in his career in 2016 when he won the World Series with the Chicago Cubs.
2016: World Series Championship and Reduced Playing Time
In 2016, while Soler was part of the Chicago Cubs team that dominated the regular season and went on to win the World Series, his playing time decreased compared to the previous year. Despite this, he made valuable contributions during the postseason, including a notable triple in Game 3 of the World Series against the Cleveland Indians.
2016: Statcast Data
In 2016, Statcast, MLB's player tracking system, recorded Soler's average launch speed at an impressive 91.39 miles per hour, highlighting his ability to hit the ball with significant force.
2018: Toe Fracture and Limited Playing Time
Soler's 2018 season was unfortunately cut short due to a toe fracture suffered in mid-June, limiting his playing time and impacting his overall statistics.
September 3, 2019: Kansas City Royals Single-Season Home Run Record
Soler's power-hitting ability was on full display in 2019 when he etched his name in the Kansas City Royals record books. On September 3, 2019, he hit his 39th home run of the season, surpassing the previous franchise record for most home runs in a single season.
2019: American League Home Run Crown and Record-Breaking Season for Cuban-Born Players
Soler's exceptional 2019 season culminated in him leading the American League with an impressive 48 home runs, solidifying his reputation as one of the most feared sluggers in baseball. His home run total set a new record for the most home runs in a single season by a Cuban-born player, a testament to his power and his place in baseball history.
2019: American League Home Run Leader
Soler's power hitting prowess was on full display in 2019 when he led the American League in home runs, solidifying his place as a premier slugger.
2020: Pandemic-Shortened Season Performance
During the shortened 2020 MLB season, Soler played in 43 games and achieved a batting average of .228. He hit eight home runs and recorded 24 RBIs.
July 30, 2021: Trade to the Atlanta Braves
On July 30, 2021, Soler was traded from the Kansas City Royals to the Atlanta Braves in exchange for player Kasey Kalich.
October 29, 2021: Alleged Incident During World Series Game
On October 29, 2021, during a World Series game, Soler allegedly injured a woman by throwing a ball into the stands. This incident later led to a lawsuit filed against him on November 2, 2023.
2021: Notable Season Split Between Two Teams
In 2021, Soler's performance was notable for his split season between the Royals and the Braves. He hit a combined total of 27 home runs and 70 RBIs across 516 at-bats. Notably, his home runs with the Braves averaged an impressive distance of 423 feet, the longest average among all MLB hitters that year.
2021: Early Season Performance with Kansas City
In 2021, while playing for the Kansas City Royals, Soler participated in 308 at-bats, achieving a .192 batting average, a .288 on-base percentage, and a .370 slugging percentage.
2021: World Series Champion and World Series MVP
In 2021, Jorge Soler achieved a remarkable feat by winning his second World Series title, this time with the Atlanta Braves. His exceptional performance throughout the series earned him the prestigious World Series Most Valuable Player Award.
2021: World Series Performance and MVP Award
During the 2021 World Series, Soler made history by hitting a leadoff home run in his first at-bat of Game 1. He continued to deliver crucial hits throughout the series, including a go-ahead homer in Game 4 and a three-run shot in Game 6. Soler's outstanding performance earned him the World Series MVP award, making him the second Cuban-born player to receive this honor.
March 22, 2022: Signing with the Miami Marlins
On March 22, 2022, Soler officially signed a three-year contract with the Miami Marlins.
2022: Signing with the Miami Marlins
In 2022, Soler signed with the Miami Marlins, marking a new chapter in his baseball journey.
November 2, 2023: Lawsuit for Alleged Injury
On November 2, 2023, a lawsuit was filed against Soler alleging that he had injured a woman by throwing a ball into the stands during a World Series game on October 29, 2021.
2023: All-Star Selection, Contract Opt-Out, and Free Agency
Soler was selected for the National League's roster in the MLB All-Star Game in 2023. During that season, he recorded 36 home runs and 75 RBIs while maintaining a .269 batting average. Following the season's end, he opted out of his contract with the Marlins, becoming a free agent.
February 18, 2024: Signing with the San Francisco Giants
Soler signed a three-year, $42 million contract with the San Francisco Giants on February 18, 2024.