WEST PALM BEACH, FL - The Washington Nationals’ $9 million gamble on Michael Soroka is starting to look like a brilliant move. As spring training unfolds in 2025, the right-handed pitcher has been turning heads with a standout performance that’s sparking excitement among fans and analysts alike. After a challenging few years, Soroka’s resurgence could be the storyline to watch as the regular season approaches.

In his latest start yesterday, Soroka was nothing short of fantastic. Over 4.0 innings pitched, he racked up an impressive six strikeouts, showcasing the kind of dominance that made him a household name early in his career. His spring training stat line so far? A tidy seven innings pitched, allowing just four hits, one run, one walk, and a total of 8 strikeouts. Those numbers alone are enough to get Nationals fans buzzing, but the velocity gains have everyone talking. Soroka’s fastball has been clocked as high as 96 mph—a promising sign that he’s regaining the form that once made him a standout with the Atlanta Braves.

Soroka himself reflected on the outing with a mix of humility and insight. “It was fun. It was fun to watch Feddie do what he had to do,” Soroka said after his outing was done. “I got to watch him a lot last year. I'll see what our guys are saying and I'll talk to them. Yeah, he's a special guy, first and foremost, and it's fun to go up against a friend.” The camaraderie and competitive spirit shone through as he spoke about facing off against familiar faces.

Manager Davey Martinez couldn’t hold back his praise for his starter. “I love the way he competes,” Martinez said. “He attacks the strike zone. He's got a mix of four really good pitches. He wants to work ahead. He tries to work ahead. But he can get you out with any one of his pitches. When he's ahead, he's really good, because you don’t know what he could throw. Today [Yesterday] was a perfect example. He's got great movement on his fastballs. His curveball was good. Slider. Changeup was really good. So, another good day for him.” Martinez’s comments highlight what makes Soroka so dangerous: his versatility and command when he’s on his game.

But Soroka knows there’s still room to sharpen his craft. “I thought a couple of reminders early in innings – after the third, fourth – the first pitch of the inning wasn't quite all the way up there,” he admitted. “And then you remember to step on it a little bit. There's no easy outs in this game. I got to make sure that we stay right there, stay smooth and stay consistent with the delivery. And I should be able to keep that right there.” His self-awareness and focus on consistency are encouraging signs for a pitcher looking to sustain this level of performance.

Breaking down his outing further, Soroka offered a candid take: “Not working on really anything in particular, other than just continuing the process that we've kind of laid out for the spring,” he said. “I felt good. I felt fairly lively. It was kind of just a mixed bag a little bit today, falling behind a lot of guys, but making really good pitches behind in the count. Got out of a couple of jams early with that. And ultimately, that's why they put up that run in the last inning.”

He dissected a sequence from yesterday’s outing: “I was falling behind [Lars] Nootbaar 2-0, three straight fastballs. It was working so far, so there was no reason not to do it. But they get that leadoff hit and a couple of pro at-bats from a couple guys. [Willson] Contreras made a good adjustment, made sure to get his hands inside that last sinker and pushed him across. Again, it was a really good curveball to Donovan that he probably just sold out for, made sure that he wasn't getting beat by, and put it out there and got himself the RBI. So again, if I stay on it, stay over the plate, and make sure we're ahead more often, I think you minimize, at least for that inning, for sure. But all in all, it was good.”

While detailed strikeout breakdowns from every game haven’t been widely reported, the overall impression Soroka is leaving is undeniable. He’s not just back—he’s back with a vengeance. The Nationals’ front office and coaching staff have to be thrilled with what they’re seeing, and it’s easy to see why optimism is running high. Soroka’s performances suggest he could lock down a key spot in the team’s pitching rotation, providing stability and firepower to a squad looking to make waves in 2025.

But it’s not just about what he can do for the Nationals right now. Soroka’s hot start has also fueled speculation about his broader value. If he continues on this trajectory, he could solidify his role as a cornerstone of the team’s lineup—or, alternatively, become a highly sought-after trade asset for a contender needing pitching depth. Either way, the Nationals appear to be in a win-win situation with their offseason acquisition.

For Soroka, this spring training feels like a redemption arc in the making. After battling injuries and inconsistency in recent years, his journey back to form is a testament to his resilience and talent. Fans are already rooting for him to carry this momentum into the regular season, and if his latest outings are any indication, he might deliver.

What do you think—can Michael Soroka sustain this level of performance when the games start counting? Drop your thoughts in the comments below!