If the second inning of Friday night’s game against the New York Mets serves as a preview for the rest of his season, Jorge Soler is in for a fun 2023.
It started in the second inning, with Soler and the Miami Marlins on defense.
New York’s Pete Alonso sent a deep drive to right-center field. It seemed as though the ball would fall between Soler and Jazz Chisholm, resulting in at least a double for Alonso. But at the last second, Soler reached out and made a leaping catch.
WHAT A PLAY BY JORGE SOLER 🔥
Soler robs Pete Alonso of extra bases!!!!!@Marlins | #MakeItMiami pic.twitter.com/bvu4opQObL
— Bally Sports Florida & Bally Sports Sun (@BallySportsFL) March 31, 2023
After the Mets went down in order in the top half of the second, Soler led off the bottom half of the frame. He did not take long to get going.
Soler took the first pitch that he saw to the same part of the ballpark where he made the great catch. Only, while Alonso’s ball fell just short of the Jersey Mike’s sign, Soler’s cleared it for a home run.
Not a fun return from the SNY commercial break for Mets fans.
(Also, how about those Marlins throwback teal uniforms) ⚾️📺 pic.twitter.com/KoajMrRnTN
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) March 31, 2023
The baseball world was impressed by Soler’s highlight reel plays.
JORGE SOLER! Wow #Marlins pic.twitter.com/7RGePj7rBn
— Kevin Barral (@kevin_barral) March 31, 2023
I wanted Soler over Canha last year He has sooooo much more power He hurts the ball
— Joe In Clark (@JoeinClark) March 31, 2023
SOLER POWER STILL STRONG ☀️ https://t.co/H0DBrXreWG
— Danielle-Royals ⚾ bad decisions & baseball (@danielleRoyalKC) March 31, 2023
Jorge Soler, who made a tremendous catch in right field to rob Pete Alonso of extra bases in the top of the second, leads off the next half inning — that old chestnut — with a solo homer off David Peterson.
Marlins 1, Mets 0, bottom two.
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) March 31, 2023
A Soler Sequence!
Robbing Pete Alonso one moment, putting the Marlins up 1-0 the next.
"This baby's got a chance, on its way and GONE!" – @Kyle_Sielaff@MarlinsRadio pic.twitter.com/0hMr3djOE4
— Marlins Radio Network (@MarlinsRadio) March 31, 2023
After winning the World Series MVP with the Atlanta Braves in 2021, Soler struggled in his first year with the Marlins in 2022. He hit .207/.295/.400 with 13 home runs.
More innings like the second inning on Friday will do a lot to put that down year in the rearview mirror.