Mets Struggling with Juan Soto’s Performance
The Mets seem to be facing another tough stretch with Juan Soto. Following a disappointing outing where he managed only one hit in a 12-4 defeat to the Giants, he’s now hitting just .056 with three extra-base hits over the last 15 games.
Even during Saturday’s win, Soto felt somewhat absent; the rest of the top lineup combined to deliver solid RBIs while he struggled to make an impact.
Last year’s lone season with the Yankees showcased a dominant Soto, but his performance with the Mets has been notably inconsistent. Aside from a stellar June, where he had an OPS of 1.196, he hasn’t performed at that level consistently throughout the rest of the season.
His current production—or lack thereof—is crucial for the Mets. They’ve been hovering around .629, while Soto’s victory OPS stands at 1.038. I guess it’s a mixed bag, really.
Alongside Francisco Lindor and Pete Alonso, the trio has recently been more effective but still hasn’t solved the team’s larger issues. The Mets’ offense has been stalling, scoring fewer than three runs in four of their last five games.
It’s clear: Soto needs to break out of this funk soon, as he did in June. His potential is there, but the Mets can’t keep waiting endlessly.
Meanwhile, Francisco Alvarez had a bright spot in Sunday’s game, recording two hits. Coming back from the minors, he showed promise, and Mendoza seemed pleased with what he saw.
“Overall, he’s another player for us,” Mendoza noted, highlighting Alvarez’s nine-game hitting streak since his return. But what really caught his eye was Alvarez’s improved defensive skills.
“The biggest thing for me is his ability to block the pitch,” Mendoza emphasized, which is a fundamental aspect for any catcher.
In another development, Tylor Megill threw a simulated game at Citi Field ahead of Sunday’s matchup. He’s been recovering from a right elbow sprain since June, and Mendoza described him as feeling good after a 20-pitch outing. The plan moving forward will involve simulation for two innings this Thursday.
As for Paul Blackburn, he pitched a rehabilitation game with Triple-A Syracuse over the weekend and might engage in a bullpen session soon. Although he could serve as a spot starter, there’s still uncertainty about his role on the team.
Recently, the Mets brought right-handed pitcher Austin Warren up from Triple-A Syracuse, designating Rico Garcia for assignment in the process. Warren managed to secure four innings, which was crucial to saving the bullpen. After Ryne Stanek faltered in completing the ninth inning, Luis Torrens became the 42nd pitcher for the Mets this season, rounding out a challenging game.
