Former Rockies Outfielder Jorge Sosa Had Interesting Career Path

Sosa transitioned from outfielder to pitcher, playing for multiple MLB teams over 12-year career.

Mar. 16, 2026 at 4:33pm

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Jorge Sosa was originally an outfielder in the Colorado Rockies minor league system, known for his electric arm. The Rockies kept him away from the mound, but the Seattle Mariners later transitioned him to a pitching role after selecting him in the minor league phase of the Rule 5 draft. Sosa went on to play for several MLB teams over a 12-year career, including the Milwaukee Brewers, Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Atlanta Braves, and New York Mets, finding his most success in 2007 with the Mets.

Why it matters

Sosa's career path is an interesting example of a player transitioning from the outfield to the mound and finding success at the major league level, despite being overlooked by his original organization. His journey highlights the unpredictable nature of player development and the opportunities that can arise from being selected in the Rule 5 draft.

The details

After being selected by the Mariners, Sosa was then taken by the Brewers in the Major League phase of the Rule 5 draft, but failed to make their Opening Day roster and was placed on waivers, allowing the Devil Rays to claim him. Sosa spent several years bouncing between the bullpen and starting rotation for the Devil Rays before being traded to the Braves in 2005, where he had his best season. He later signed with the Mets in 2007 and enjoyed the best year of his career before declining in subsequent seasons.

  • Sosa was originally an outfielder in the Colorado Rockies minor league system.
  • The Seattle Mariners transitioned Sosa to a pitching role after selecting him in the minor league phase of the Rule 5 draft.
  • The Milwaukee Brewers took Sosa in the Major League phase of the Rule 5 draft the following offseason, but he failed to make their Opening Day roster.
  • The Tampa Bay Devil Rays claimed Sosa off waivers and he spent several years with their organization.
  • Sosa was traded to the Atlanta Braves in 2005, where he had his best season.
  • Sosa signed with the New York Mets in 2007 and enjoyed the best year of his career.
  • Sosa last pitched in 2016 with the Leones del Escogido in the Dominican Republic.

The players

Jorge Sosa

A former outfielder in the Colorado Rockies minor league system who transitioned to pitching and had a 12-year major league career, playing for several teams including the Milwaukee Brewers, Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Atlanta Braves, and New York Mets.

Roberto Alomar

A recently retired MLB player whose departure from the Tampa Bay Devil Rays opened up a hole at second base, leading the team to trade Sosa to the Atlanta Braves.

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What they’re saying

“Once upon a time, Jorge Sosa was an outfielder in the Colorado Rockies system with an electric arm. So naturally, the Rockies kept him as far away from the mound as possible.”

— Adam Sanford, Author

What’s next

The Atlanta Braves will be providing TV and radio coverage of the first pitch against the Braves at 1:05 PM at CoolToday Park.

The takeaway

Sosa's career journey from outfielder to successful major league pitcher, despite being overlooked by his original organization, demonstrates the unpredictable nature of player development and the opportunities that can arise from being selected in the Rule 5 draft.