Gregory Soto is finding his groove with the Phillies in new role

The Detroit Tigers signed Gregory Soto as an amateur free agent in 2012. He was just 17. The left-hander pitched in their organization for 10 years, until the Phillies traded for him in January.

It was a change in more ways than one. In Detroit, Soto was an All-Star closer, selected for the American League team the last two seasons. Of his 214 career innings, 100 2/3 have come in the ninth inning. But he has only pitched in the ninth inning once for the Phillies.

It’s not as jarring a transition as it would be for Craig Kimbrel, who is on the verge of notching his 400th career save, but it is a jarring transition, nonetheless. And because Soto arrived to Phillies spring training late, due to complications with his visa, he had only had a few weeks to adjust to a new role with a new organization.

That hasty switch was reflected in his outings early on. In the March 30 season opener at Texas, he made his Phillies debut in the fourth inning, and wasn’t able to record an out. He was charged with four runs (three earned) on two hits and two walks in the Rangers’ 11-7 win.

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Since then, Soto has pitched to a 0.96 ERA in 10 1/3 innings. He’s compiled 14 strikeouts and four walks. Part of this is due to a mechanical change. Manager Rob Thomson said the Phillies’ coaching staff modified Soto’s delivery slightly.

“It’s more slide step and not the big, high leg kick and then slide step,” Thomson said. “So it’s consistent, very simple, and he’s just filling the strike zone up.

“His slider’s been good, throwing it for strikes. He’s throwing the changeup every once in a while to right-handed hitters. He’s been — I don’t know if there’s two other lefties in baseball that are as good as [Soto and José Alvarado] right now.”

Soto is throwing his slider more often. He threw it only 21.6% of the time in 2022, and has now upped that 45.5% in 2023. But beyond that, he says he now feels more comfortable around the team, which has allowed him to settle in.

He’s grown particularly close with fellow Dominican Cristian Pache, the center fielder who was acquired early in the season from the Oakland A’s. They are big basketball fans, and like to watch NBA games together. They also like to predict the outcomes of games — especially now that the playoffs are going on — and will give each other grief if their prediction is wrong.

“It’s a battle over who has bragging rights,” Soto said. “They’re just little interactions, but they make me feel more comfortable.”

Soto has also grown close to the Phillies’ relief corps, which he says is the most talented group he’s been around in his five-year career. He says they motivate each other to be better, which has made the closer-by-committee system that Thomson uses an easier transition for Soto.

“I just want to help the team win; that’s where my mind is right now,” he said. “I want to help out wherever they need me to help out.”

Thomson said left-hander Ranger Suárez (left elbow strain) will throw a bullpen session Tuesday. If that goes well, he will probably go on a rehab assignment. ...Thomson said right-hander Nick Nelson (left hamstring strain) has looked “really good” in his rehab assignment in low-A Clearwater. Nelson threw 2 2/3 three-hit innings on Saturday. He threw 44 pitches and his velocity was up to 95 mph. The Phillies would like to see him stretched out to three or four innings before he rejoins the big league club.

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