Giovanni Soto

For the baseball catcher, see Geovany Soto.

Giovanni Luis Soto (born May 18, 1991) is a Puerto Rican former professional baseball pitcher. He played for the Cleveland Indians of Major League Baseball in 2015 and for the Puerto Rican national baseball team in the 2013 and 2017 World Baseball Classics.

Giovanni Soto
Soto with the West Michigan Whitecaps in 2010
Pitcher
Born: (1991-05-18) May 18, 1991 (age 31) Carolina, Puerto Rico
Batted: Left Threw: Left
MLB debut
September 5, 2015, for the Cleveland Indians
Last MLB appearance
September 27, 2015, for the Cleveland Indians
MLB statistics
Win–loss record	0–0
Earned run average	0.00
Strikeouts	0
Teams
Cleveland Indians (2015)
Medals Men's baseball Representing  Puerto Rico World Baseball Classic 2013 San Francisco Team 2017 Los Angeles Team Pan American Games 2019 Lima Team

Career

Detroit Tigers

Soto attended Advanced Central College High School in Carolina, Puerto Rico. The Detroit Tigers selected Soto in the 21st round of the 2009 MLB draft.

Cleveland Indians

In 2010, the Tigers traded Soto to the Cleveland Indians for Jhonny Peralta.^[1] On July 15, 2012, while playing for the Akron Aeros, Soto pitched a no-hitter against the Altoona Curve.^[2][3]

The Indians invited Soto to spring training as a non-roster invitee in 2013. He also played for the Puerto Rican national baseball team in the 2013 World Baseball Classic where they lost to the Dominican Republic national baseball team in the championship game 3-0.^[4][5]

In 2015, Soto pitched for the Columbus Clippers of the Class AAA International League. Soto appeared in 46 games for Columbus, going 2-1 with a 2.68 ERA while striking out 51 in 53.2 innings. Following the conclusion of the Triple-A season, the Indians purchased Soto's contract on September 4, 2015 and added him to the major-league roster.^[6] Soto made his debut the next day against Detroit, retiring Tyler Collins on a single pitch, the only batter he faced.^[7] Soto made 6 appearances for Cleveland down the stretch, not giving up a run in 3.1 innings.

Chicago Cubs

On April 11, 2016, the Indians traded Soto to the Chicago Cubs for cash considerations, with Kyle Schwarber being transferred to the 60-day disabled list to make room on the roster.^[8] Soto spent 2016 with the Triple-A Iowa Cubs, where he posted a 1-3 record with a 5.14 ERA in 33 appearances.^[9] On October 22, Soto was designated for assignment, once again trading places on the roster with Schwarber as he was making an unexpected attempt to return to the Cubs during the postseason.^[10]

Oakland Athletics

On October 26, 2016, Soto was claimed off waivers by the Oakland Athletics.^[11]

Chicago White Sox

On November 7, 2016, Soto was claimed off waivers by the Chicago White Sox.^[12] He was released on June 9, 2017.

Road Warriors

Soto signed with the Road Warriors of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball for the 2018 season. He became a free agent following the 2018 season.^[13]

New Britain Bees

On April 16, 2019, Soto signed with the New Britain Bees of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.^[14] Following the season, his rights were acquired by the Sugar Land Skeeters in the New Britain Bees dispersal draft.

On February 14, 2020, Soto's contract was purchased by the Diablos Rojos del México of the Mexican League. In 2020, he did not play a game because of the cancellation of the Mexican League season due to the COVID-19 pandemic and later became a free agent.^[15] After the 2020 season, he played for Criollos de Caguas of the Liga de Béisbol Profesional Roberto Clemente(LBPRC). He has also played for Puerto Rico in the 2021 Caribbean Series.

See also

• List of Major League Baseball players from Puerto Rico

References

1. Northeast Ohio (27 January 2013). "How about Russell Branyan adding some muscle as Tribe DH? Hey, Hoynsie!". cleveland.com. Retrieved 2013-01-30.
2. Storm, Stephanie (July 15, 2012). "Aeros' Giovanni Soto pitches a no-hitter against Altoona in 2-1 victory".
3. Pentis, Andrew (July 15, 2012). "Akron lefty Soto no-hits Altoona".
4. 01/24/2013 6:24 PM ET (2013-01-24). "Indians invite five from player development system | indians.com: News". Cleveland Indians. MLB. Retrieved 2013-01-30.
5. Jeff Roberson, Associated Press (24 January 2013). "Cleveland Indians invite 5 minor leaguers to big-league spring training". cleveland.com. Retrieved 2013-01-30.
6. "Indians add Martinez & Soto from AAA Columbus". Retrieved September 4, 2015.
7. Bastian, Jordan (September 6, 2015). "Francona looking forward to evaluating Soto". MLB.com.
8. "No, Not the Catcher: Cubs trade for pitcher Giovanni Soto". April 11, 2016.
9. "Armando Rivero Stats, Highlights, Bio | MiLB.com Stats | The Official Site of Minor League Baseball". MiLB.com.
10. Polishuk, Mark (October 22, 2016). "Cubs Designate Giovanni Soto For Assignment". MLB Trade Rumors.
11. "A's claim LHP Soto off waivers from the Cubs" (Press release). Oakland Athletics. October 26, 2016.
12. Todd, Jeff (November 7, 2016). "White Sox Claim Giovanni Soto". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved November 7, 2016.
13. "New Britain Herald - New Britain Bees sign former big leaguers Ford, Martinez, Gervacio". Central Connecticut Communications.
14. "De Aza, Soto Signed by Bees". New Britain Bees. April 16, 2019. Retrieved April 16, 2019.
15. "Mexican League Cancels 2020 Season".

External links

• Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs, or Baseball Reference (Minors)