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OWNED IN: 22% of Yahoo! leagues
ANALYSIS: Health was the biggest concern for the 21-year-old Soroka heading into 2019. That, plus Atlanta's multitude of starting pitching options, made him a risky choice in redraft leagues this season. Soroka overcame the late spring shoulder injury that pushed him out of the rotation, making his season debut on Thursday and tossing five innings against the Diamondbacks, giving up one run on four hits with two walks and six strikeouts.
Perhaps most importantly was Soroka's velocity, which got up to 95 miles per hour at times. He's always boasted elite fastball command, and while his secondaries are still developing he will succeed as long as his pinpoint location and velocity remain.
The big question is what Atlanta does with Soroka going forward. With a crowded rotation and a 21-year-old arm with a past history of shoulder issues, he could be on a very short leash for his rotation spot.
However, as long as he is in the rotation, he should be owned in most fantasy formats. And if he makes his next start against Cincinnati, well he should be started everywhere.
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