Background: If Jorge Sosa’s name sounds vaguely familiar, it shouldn’t. Yes, he was a member of the Rockies’ organization from 1995 to 2000. But he never passed Single-A ball, striking out 230 times in his first 192 games. In 2000, when the Rockies were busy adding Mike Hampton and Denny Neagle, they removed Sosa from the 40-man roster and the Mariners selected him in the Rule V draft and converted him into a pitcher. The Brewers then picked Sosa as a Rule V the following winter. He eventually was claimed on waivers by the Devil Rays and traded to the Braves for utility player Nick Green.
What’s up: Fair to say the Devil Rays made a mistake. Sosa, a part-time starter for Tampa Bay the past two seasons, has solidified the Braves’ injury-riddled rotation. He has gone 13-3 with a 2.45 ERA. Said Braves leader Chipper Jones: “He’s been a godsend for our ballclub.”
Stat line: Sosa possesses an electric arm and little imagination on the mound. He goes right after hitters, mainly with a 95-mph heater and sneaky slider. The Rockies always knew he had a live arm. He used to stand on the foul line in Single-A Portland and fire the ball over the team’s scoreboard out of the stadium. “It was unbelievable,” said Rockies shortstop Clint Barmes, who witnessed the event. Sosa does his best work when smoke is billowing. Opponents are 1-for-15 against him with the bases loaded. With runners in scoring position, teams are hitting .176. It’s no wonder his teammates have taken to calling him “Houdini.”
What’s next: With Hampton lost for the season because of elbow surgery and John Thomson still climbing back from a hand injury, Sosa is on track to man the third spot in the Braves’ playoff rotation. Sosa, who starts today against Florida, is 4-0 this month with a 1.42 ERA.
Renck’s take: When the Rockies began digging for a strong bullpen arm last winter, they focused on Sosa, hoping to get the Devil Rays to bite on catcher Charles Johnson. They were stunned Tampa Bay accepted Greene, saying privately they would have given much more if given a last-chance offer. Say this for Sosa, his inexperience might work for him in the postseason. He won’t carry the burden of the Braves’ failed playoff history on his shoulders.
