To hearken to the narrative, outfielder Juan Soto has been a catastrophe for the New York Mets.
Bob Kaplish from NJ.com reported that there are questions relating to Soto’s “enthusiasm” about enjoying for the Mets. His efficiency on Wednesday, when he had three awful strikeouts, solely amplified these issues.
Nonetheless, Soto’s efficiency this season has not been as dangerous as one might imagine. He had posted a .243/.374/.429 batting line with eight homers and 9 doubles in 219 plate appearances coming into Friday. Though that manufacturing is beneath Soto’s expectations, he has walked 39 instances with 37 strikeouts and has stolen six bases with out being caught. His 131 OPS+ continues to be 31% higher than the league common, and above players equivalent to Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts.
Soto’s efficiency this season can also be skewed by his struggles in the first inning. He has posted a .156/.224/.178 batting line in 49 first-inning plate appearances, with one double and 14 strikeouts. Soto has additionally improved as the sport has gone on, posting a powerful .318/.484/.614 batting line with three homers and 4 doubles in his 62 plate appearances between the seventh and ninth innings.
Sluggish begins in a brand new setting should not new with Soto. He initially struggled following his commerce to San Diego, posting a .236/.388/.390 batting line in 228 plate appearances for the Padres in 2022, hitting six homers and eight doubles. Soto in the end rebounded, placing collectively a usually robust season for the Padres in 2023 earlier than being traded to the Yankees.
Soto has not carried out to his ordinary stage to this point in 2025, however that doesn’t imply he has been unproductive within the Mets’ lineup.
