Tyler Soderstrom

Tyler Soderstrom's Biography

Tyler Christian Soderstrom, born on November 24, 2001, is a figure of note in the realm of professional baseball in America. Playing roles as a catcher and first baseman, Soderstrom currently represents the Oakland Athletics organization. The ascending trajectory of Soderstrom’s career is epitomized by his achievement of being selected 26th overall through the Athletics in the 2020 MLB draft. His commendable journey in the field led him to his Major League Baseball debut as early as 2023.

The germination of Soderstrom’s acumen in baseball began in his high school years as he attended Turlock High School situated in Turlock, California. The school was his first platform to display his baseball prowess. In his junior year in 2019, Soderstrom made an impressive impact, hitting .450 with a record of four commendable home runs. His exceptional performance on the field was recognized and he was given the opportunity to showcase his talent on a more grandiose platform in the 2019 Under Armour All-America Baseball Game.

In addition to displaying his skills at the high-profile game, Soderstrom also polished his game tactics playing for the 18U United States national baseball team, where he logged a tremendous batting average of .364. His senior year in 2020 was cut short due to the unforeseen COVID-19 pandemic. However, before the cancellation, he was named the Gatorade California Baseball Player of the Year after batting .357 over a mere five games. He was also accepted to play college baseball at the globally recognized University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).

However, it was in the 2020 Major League Baseball draft that Soderstrom truly made his mark, being identified as one of the brightest prospects in the draft. His performance caught the eye of the Oakland Athletics, who subsequently selected him 26th overall and signed him for a hefty $3.3 million. Due to the pandemic, Soderstrom did not compete in a minor league game in 2020. However, he initiated his 2021 season with the Stockton Ports of Low-A West.

In June, he seized the opportunity to display his prowess by being chosen for the All-Star Futures Game at Coors Field. Unfortunately, a back injury in August put a stop to his game time. Nevertheless, in the fraction of games played with the Stockton, Soderstrom delivered a series of impressive figures, with a batting average of .306 and 12 home runs amongst others.

With the onset of the 2022 season, Soderstrom was assigned to the Lansing Lugnuts of the High-A Midwest League. His performance led him to be promoted to teams of higher leagues like the Midland RockHounds of the Double-A Texas League and the Las Vegas Aviators of the Triple-A Pacific Coast League. Through 134 games between the three teams, Soderstrom maintained a solid batting average and home runs.

The 2023 season opened with a fruitful start as Soderstrom was assigned to Las Vegas. He also earned a representation in the 2023 All-Star Futures Game and was promoted for the first time to the Major Leagues to be a part of the 40-man roster. In his first big league season, his batting average was disappointing, yet it did not deter his fate to continue with the Las Vegas in 2024. In his first game back with Oakland in May, Soderstrom managed to hit a home run, defying all odds.

His baseball journey is intricately linked to his familial connections. His father, Steve Soderstrom, is the sixth overall selectee by the San Francisco Giants in the 1993 Major League Baseball draft. With the embodiment of an inspiring lineage, Tyler Christian Soderstrom climaxes in his professional baseball career following his father’s footsteps.