50 Facts About Jorge Soler

Early Life and Background

Jorge Soler, a name synonymous with power hitting in baseball, has a fascinating journey that began in Cuba.

1. Full Name and Nickname: Jorge Carlos Soler, often called "El Crudo" (The Raw One), reflects his raw talent and potential.
2. Birthplace: Born in Havana, Cuba, Soler’s roots are deeply embedded in Cuban baseball culture.
3. Height and Weight: Standing at 6 feet 4 inches and weighing 235 pounds, his physical presence is as imposing as his batting stats.
4. Bats and Throws: Soler bats and throws right-handed, a common trait among power hitters.
5. Positions Played: Primarily a right fielder and designated hitter, he has shown versatility on the field.

MLB Debut and Early Career

Soler’s journey to the MLB was marked by significant milestones and achievements.

6. Debut: Made his MLB debut on August 27, 2014, for the Chicago Cubs, showcasing his potential early on.
7. Teams Played For: He has played for the Chicago Cubs, Kansas City Royals, Atlanta Braves, Miami Marlins, and San Francisco Giants.
8. Career Statistics: Over 11 seasons, he has played 952 games, with 804 hits and 180 home runs, boasting a career batting average of .241.
9. Current Team: As of 2024, Soler is with the San Francisco Giants.
10. Contract: Signed a three-year contract worth $42 million with the Giants in 2023.

Achievements and Awards

Soler’s career is decorated with numerous awards and accolades.

11. Age: At 32 years old in 2024, Soler continues to be a formidable presence on the field.
12. World Series Championships: Won two World Series championships, one with the Cubs in 2016 and another with the Braves in 2021.
13. Awards and Honors: Named AL Player of the Week and an NL All-Star, and won the Willie Mays World Series MVP in 2021.
14. Advanced Batting Statistics: Career OPS of .788 and a SLG of .461 highlight his offensive prowess.
15. Home Run Records: Hit 21 home runs in the 2024 season, bringing his career total to 191.

Offensive and Defensive Skills

Soler’s skills extend beyond just hitting home runs.

16. Runs Batted In (RBIs): Driven in 516 runs in his career, with 64 RBIs in the 2024 season.
17. On-Base Percentage (OBP): Career OBP of .331, with a .338 OBP in 2024.
18. Strikeouts: Struck out 500 times in his career, with 103 strikeouts in the 2024 season.
19. Hit By Pitch (HBP): Hit by pitch 11 times in his career.
20. Fielding Percentage: Career fielding percentage of .985, with a .987 fielding percentage in 2024.

Defensive Metrics and Leadership

Soler’s defensive skills and leadership qualities have also been noteworthy.

21. Defensive Metrics: Career UZR of 5.5, with a UZR of 3.5 in 2024, indicating his defensive capabilities.
22. Leadership Roles: Named to the MLB All-Star team once, in 2023, while playing for the Miami Marlins.
23. Minor League Career: Played in various minor leagues, including the Daytona Cubs in the Florida State League (FSL).
24. Minor League Awards: Named FSL Player of the Week and FSL Mid-Season All-Star in 2013.
25. Minor League Statistics: Accumulated 889 at-bats, 255 hits, 54 home runs, and an OPS of .917 in the minors.

Postseason and Regular Season Performance

Soler’s performance in both the postseason and regular season has been impressive.

26. Postseason Performance: Batting average of .250, with 10 home runs and 27 RBIs in the postseason.
27. Regular Season Performance: Batting average of .243, with 191 home runs and 516 RBIs in the regular season.
28. Career Milestones: Achieved his 100th home run in 2021 while playing for the Braves.
29. Career Highs: Career highs include a .632 batting average and a .545 slugging percentage in a single game in 2015.
30. Career Lows: Career lows include a .137 batting average in 2015 and a .000 batting average in 2016.

Seasonal Breakdowns

Each season has brought its own set of challenges and triumphs for Soler.

31. 2014: Batted .281 with 5 home runs and 11 RBIs in 24 games for the Cubs.
32. 2015: Batted .137 with 10 home runs and 39 RBIs in 101 games for the Cubs.
33. 2016: Batted .198 with 12 home runs and 31 RBIs in 86 games for the Cubs.
34. 2017: Batted .235 with 13 home runs and 32 RBIs in 72 games for the Royals.
35. 2020: Batted .228 with 17 home runs and 34 RBIs in 43 games for the Royals.
36. 2021: Batted .223 with 27 home runs and 70 RBIs in 149 games for the Braves.
37. 2022: Batted .193 with 13 home runs and 34 RBIs in 72 games for the Marlins.
38. 2023: Batted .262 with 36 home runs and 75 RBIs in 137 games for the Marlins.
39. 2024: Batting .241 with 21 home runs and 64 RBIs in 82 games for the Giants.

Injury History

Injuries have been a part of Soler’s career, impacting his performance at times.

40. 2015: Suffered an oblique strain and left ankle sprain, leading to several rehab assignments.
41. 2023: Placed on the 10-day injured list due to a right oblique strain.

Fantasy Baseball Value

Soler’s consistent power and run production make him a valuable asset in fantasy baseball.

42. Fantasy Baseball Value: Known for his consistent power and run production, making him a sought-after player in fantasy leagues.

Social Media and Community Involvement

Soler’s presence extends beyond the baseball field, impacting social media and communities.

43. Social Media Presence: Active on Instagram under the handle @js12, where he engages with fans.
44. Community Involvement: Involved in various community initiatives, including local charities in Cuba and the United States.

Cultural Impact and Comparisons

Soler’s influence goes beyond statistics, impacting culture and drawing comparisons to other greats.

45. Cultural Impact: As one of the first Cuban players to achieve significant success in MLB, he has become a cultural icon for the Cuban-American community.
46. Player Comparison: Often compared to other power-hitting outfielders like Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge due to his impressive home run totals and batting averages.

Career Milestones and Leadership

Soler’s career is marked by significant milestones and leadership roles.

47. Career Milestones Achieved: Reached 500 hits in his MLB career in 2023 while playing for the Marlins.
48. Leadership Roles in Team: Served as a key contributor to the Braves' 2021 World Series championship team, helping them win the series against the Astros.

Impact on Team Performance

Soler’s presence in the lineup has significantly impacted his teams’ performances.

49. Impact on Team Performance: His presence in the lineup has significantly impacted the performance of his teams, particularly during the 2021 season with the Braves.

Defensive Skills and Advanced Metrics

Soler’s defensive skills and advanced metrics highlight his all-around abilities.

50. Defensive Skills: Known for his strong defensive skills, particularly in right field, where he has a career fielding percentage of .985.

Jorge Soler's Impact on Baseball

Jorge Soler has left a lasting mark on Major League Baseball. From his debut with the Chicago Cubs in 2014 to his current stint with the San Francisco Giants, Soler's journey is filled with impressive milestones. His powerful home runs, consistent performance, and two World Series championships highlight his contributions to the sport. Known as "El Crudo," Soler has become a fan favorite and a cultural icon for the Cuban-American community. His leadership and community involvement further cement his legacy. With a career spanning multiple teams and numerous accolades, Soler continues to be a valuable asset both on and off the field. As he moves forward, fans eagerly anticipate more memorable moments from this talented player. Jorge Soler's story is far from over, and his impact on baseball will be remembered for years to come.