Alay Soler

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked New York Mets #10 prospect in 2007
  After signing a $2.8 million major league contract in the fall of 2004, Soler missed all of 2005 because he couldn't secure a visa until October. He showed up to his first big league camp out of shape and had a poor spring training, though he bounced back to reach New York in May. He threw a two-hit shutout against the Diamondbacks, but struggled with his control shortly afterward and was demoted in early July. Soler has success when he attacks the strike zone with his low-90s fastball and above-average slider. The latter is his best pitch. He throws it at 80-81 mph with sharp, late break to righthanders and slows it down and backdoors it against lefties. Soler is his own worst enemy and gets in trouble when he tries to nibble and play around with his offspeed stuff in what looks like an attempt to emulate fellow Cuban Orlando Hernandez. He needs to dedicate himself much more to conditioning after making a bad first impression. After his midsummer demotion, he missed six weeks with a minor Achilles problem that isn't considered serious but wasn't helped by his excess weight. If Soler plays to his strengths, he has the chance to be a solid back-of-the-rotation starter or setup man. How much time he spends getting in shape likely will dictate his assignment in 2007, and when he could contribute in the majors.
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  Ranked New York Mets #7 prospect in 2006
  The biggest mystery in the system, Soler has yet to pitch in pro ball after signing a three-year, $2.8 million contract in September 2004. A Cuban defector who received asylum from the Dominican Republic, he did not get his visa until late October, and spent 2005 at the Mets' Dominican academy. Soler has two plus pitches, a 91-94 mph fastball and a low-80s slider with exceptional depth. The Mets think his big-game experience in Cuba--he helped them win the 2002 World University Games--will serve him well under the bright lights of New York. Using a three-quarters delivery, Soler sometimes gets under his pitches and leaves them high in the strike zone. The harder he throws, the more he struggles with his fastball command. Many Cuban defectors have needed time to adjust to a new culture and lifestyle in the United States. Soler is already 26 and likely will start his pro career in Double-A once he reaches the United States. He has enough stuff to start but also projects as a possible closer, a role the Mets filled by signing Billy Wagner as a free agent.
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  Ranked New York Mets #6 prospect in 2005
  Soler helped Cuba win the 2002 World University Games, where he didn't allow a run in two starts, and led the island's major league with a 2.01 ERA in 2003. He defected by boat in November 2003, received asylum in the Dominican Republic and signed a three-year big league contract worth $2.8 million last September. Soler throws a 91-93 mph fastball that can touch 95. It features good armside run when he keeps it down in the zone. His 80-82 mph slider has tight spin with good depth, and his changeup is an average pitch that he can throw for strikes. He has a strong frame and a clean delivery. One scout who saw Soler in the Dominican League this winter said he struggled with his fastball command and his mechanics when he hit 94-95 mph. He sometimes fails to get on top of the ball from his three-quarters delivery. He has a lot of history to overcome, as most Cuban defectors have failed to live up to their hype. Several Cubans were sent straight to the majors, but the Mets will take a more pragmatic approach. Soler will start at high Class A or Double-A.