The Angels' fate hinges on Jose Soriano's ability to address a critical weakness. While Soriano possesses exceptional velocity and excels at inducing ground balls, his tendency to give up hard contact poses a significant challenge. This issue becomes even more pressing when coupled with the Angels' abysmal defense, which ranked as the worst in the MLB in 2025. Soriano's performance in 2025 further highlights the problem, as his average exit velocity and hard-hit percentage were among the lowest in the league. To truly become the Angels' ace, Soriano must focus on reducing the number of hard contact hits and improving his splitter usage to keep hitters off balance. This strategic adjustment, combined with his existing skills, will be crucial for the team's success and a potential return to the .500 record mark.
