José Soriano’s Historic Start: Angels Pitcher Sets MLB Record with 0.24 ERA

POLICY WIRE — Anaheim, USA — Los Angeles Angels right-hander José Soriano has etched his name into baseball’s record books, achieving a historically low earned run average through his first six starts of the season.

Following a dominant five-inning, scoreless outing against the Toronto Blue Jays on Wednesday, Soriano lowered his impressive ERA to an astounding 0.24. This figure not only leads all of Major League Baseball but stands as the best mark ever recorded by a pitcher through their initial six starts of a season, provided they’ve completed a minimum of 30 innings, as reported by MLB.com’s Sarah Langs.

The Angels organization highlights another unprecedented feat: Soriano is the sole pitcher in MLB history to surrender just one earned run across his first six starts of a campaign. The team has also enjoyed a perfect 6-0 record in games he has pitched, culminating in a recent 7-3 victory over the Blue Jays.

Soriano’s Unprecedented Performance

The only time Soriano conceded a run was on April 6 against the Atlanta Braves, when promising young talent Drake Baldwin launched a solo home run off him in the opening frame. This singular run is a testament to his remarkable early-season command.

Observers are naturally drawing parallels to the legendary start of Fernando Valenzuela for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1981, a season where he claimed the Cy Young Award, Rookie of the Year, and a World Series title. Valenzuela’s initial six starts saw him with a 0.33 ERA, having allowed runs in two of those outings.

While Valenzuela’s incredible run included significantly more innings (54 compared to Soriano’s 37 2/3), Soriano’s ability to limit runs has undeniably given him the statistical edge in ERA for this specific six-start comparison. For more on current MLB matchups, Read More: San Diego Padres vs. Colorado Rockies: Live Stream, TV Channel, Odds, and Pitching Analysis.

The Angels’ Budding Ace: Soriano’s Profile

Now in his fourth MLB season, the 27-year-old Soriano entered 2026 as a competent pitcher for the Angels, boasting a career ERA of 3.89. His strikeout and walk rates were not particularly outstanding previously.

However, a potent pitching repertoire, notably anchored by a high-velocity sinker, allowed him to achieve an elite 66% groundball rate in 2025, according to Baseball Savant. This season, Soriano has effectively combined high strikeout numbers with his consistent groundball-inducing ability.

As of Wednesday evening, his strikeout rate stands at an impressive 30.7%, ranking 11th among 82 qualified MLB pitchers. Data from Baseball Savant indicates that hitters have managed only two singles off his sinker through his initial five starts. Furthermore, his knuckle curve, his secondary pitch, has induced a 50% whiff rate from opposing batters. This showcases a dominant performance from a pitcher largely unknown outside of Southern California before this season.

Sustaining Dominance

While maintaining an ERA below 1.00 is an improbable long-term goal for any starting pitcher, Soriano’s underlying metrics strongly suggest that the Angels possess a significantly above-average talent. Opposing hitters will undoubtedly adapt their approaches.

Nevertheless, pitchers who combine elevated strikeout rates with high groundball percentages, all supported by substantial velocity, typically enjoy sustained success in Major League Baseball. His early success places him among elite company. Learn more about other prominent Los Angeles-area baseball teams and their season developments.