Photo credit: www.forbes.com

Juan Soto Reflects on Shift in Dynamics with Mets

In a recent interview, Juan Soto candidly expressed how his at-bats have changed since transitioning to the New York Mets, particularly noting the absence of Aaron Judge, who was instrumental in his former lineup with the New York Yankees. This revelation quickly became a hot topic among sports commentators and analysts, especially after Judge addressed Soto’s remarks during a media session.

Having signed a substantial 15-year contract worth $765 million after leaving the Yankees, Soto has played 12 games with the Mets. Ahead of a recent matchup in Minnesota, he discussed his experiences in a detailed piece with the New York Post. Soto provided insights into how opposing pitchers are approaching him differently now, although he refrained from revealing any strategic secrets.

So far, Soto has recorded 74 plate appearances as a Met, during which he faced a total of 278 pitches but has only made solid contact on four of those with the barrel of his bat. This marks a striking contrast to his previous season with the Yankees, where he achieved 91 barrelled balls in a similar span. Interestingly, the pitch types he encounters have remained relatively consistent; he has seen four-seam fastballs at a rate of 22.7 percent this season, closely mirroring the 23.8 percent he experienced last year when he notched 17 home runs and a .327 batting average. However, he has struggled against these pitches, managing only three hits in 14 attempts.

Soto noted that while his encounter with sliders has slightly decreased, moving from 15.2 percent to 12.6 percent this year, his primary challenge stems from the change in batting order dynamics. “I had the best hitter in baseball hitting behind me,” Soto stated, referring to Judge’s presence in the lineup. He emphasized that this change led to a different approach from pitchers, as Judge’s prolific hitting reduced the number of intentional walks for Soto and increased the number of pitches in the strike zone.

Currently, Soto bats ahead of Pete Alonso, who is enjoying a significantly strong performance, occasionally drawing comparisons to Judge. Alonso’s hitting average is at a career-high, reminiscent of his rookie season in which he hit 53 homers. Soto’s previous lineup experience included hitting before noted hitters like Manny Machado in San Diego and Howie Kendrick during the successful 2019 World Series campaign with the Washington Nationals.

While Soto’s comments offer an introspective analysis of his transition to the Mets, they also reveal a deep understanding of the game, reflecting a level of professionalism similar to Derek Jeter. Judge seemed less inclined to delve into the specifics of Soto’s statements, commenting instead on Alonso’s current success: “He’s got probably one of the best hitters in the game behind him right now. It’s been fun to watch. He’s driving the ball all over the field, driving guys in.”

Soto, however, is not lamenting his past partnership with Judge; he simply recognizes his new status as a primary target on opposing teams’ scouting reports. This situation harkens back to the experiences of Barry Bonds, who often faced similar scrutiny in his career. Last year, Soto’s presence was somewhat overshadowed by Judge’s remarkable 58-homer season, which significantly influenced how pitchers approached both players.

As Judge seeks to shake off a slow start this season, currently maintaining a lineup fortified by two former MVPs—Cody Bellinger and Paul Goldschmidt—Soto remains focused on establishing his role within the Mets. Judge aptly summarized Soto’s unique value: “You can’t replace a guy like Soto. He’s one of one.”

Looking ahead, as Soto aims to fulfill the expectations set by his monumental contract, conversations surrounding his insights on batting strategy are likely to fade into the background. However, they may resurface around the Mets and Yankees series scheduled for May 16-18 in the Bronx, where fan sentiment toward Soto may add an intriguing narrative layer to his ongoing adjustment in New York.

Source
www.forbes.com