RADIO
Jorge Soler 2020 Outlook: Will Health Cooperate Again In 2020?
5 years agoIt took several years of patience, but Jorge Soler finally put together a productive, healthy season with the Royals in 2019. His full 162-game campaign led to an AL-leading 48 homers and a second-place finish in RBI (117) while producing a commendable .265/.354/.569 slash line. It was the 27-year-old’s first season with more than 101 games played, and he seemed to only get stronger the deeper he went into the season. In the second half, Soler cut his K-rate down almost 6% to 23.0% while nearly doubling his walk rate from a 7.5% BB% to 14.8%. His 20-HR power surge over the final two months also helped him finish top-six in the majors in Hard Hit% (49.9%), Exit Velocity (92.6%), and Barrel% (16.9%). Soler will return to the run-producing part of the Royals lineup this season, looking to prove 2019 was no fluke. His progression in the second half, especially in his plate discipline metrics, is enough evidence to suggest that he can put together another statistically sound year. Health has eluded the former Cubs prospect over his entire professional career, which explains his cautious 79.8 ADP, but this draft price presents a terrific value opportunity if Soler can repeat another healthy campaign.
