The fans in Queens are growing concerned—not about the New York Mets’ 4-1 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals, but rather about the performance of their $765 million star: Juan Soto. The high-profile outfielder, coming off an 0-for-5 night and entering the game with just three home runs over 19 games, endured another tough outing at the plate.
Soto went hitless in three at-bats, grounding into a double play, striking out, and hitting a weak grounder before finally reaching base on a walk in his final plate appearance of Game 1 of the series. Despite what could have been growing discontent from the stands, Soto told The New York Post he wasn’t listening to the crowd.
In the first year of his 15-year contract, Juan Soto acknowledged the difficulty of his .221 batting average but kept things in perspective, saying it’s all part of the game. “Definitely know how to handle it,” Soto said, according to the Post.
He added: “I’ve been growing as a man through my whole career, and I just know things are going to change. I just gotta keep grinding.” This resilient mindset remains crucial for a player of his stature, especially as he works to meet the expectations of a new fan base.
Soto: Solid contact, but no results
Although the numbers don’t show it, Soto believes he’s making solid contact. Earlier in the week, he told The Post’s Mike Puma that opposing pitchers have been attacking him differently without Aaron Judge hitting behind him in the lineup. Still, Soto managed to draw his 15th walk of the season, a testament to his exceptional plate discipline—one of the core strengths of his offensive game.
What’s next for Juan Soto and the Mets?
In some respects, this sluggish start echoes his early 2023 campaign with the San Diego Padres, where he was batting just .164 at this point in the season. Soto noted that he’s experienced various types of slow starts before, even if they came while playing for different teams. Now with the Mets, it seems some fans are beginning to show early signs of impatience after another hitless performance.
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Despite his struggles, Soto still carries a .773 OPS and hit two home runs during the Mets’ recent three-game series against the Minnesota Twins. His veteran outlook and consistent work ethic indicate that he remains confident he’ll break out of this slump and become the offensive anchor the Mets need him to be.