PEORIA, Ariz. — Look at Juan Soto’s stats. How much more do you need?
Those numbers are pretty good against just about anyone, historically, over an age-24 season. His 160 home runs are tied with Albert Pujols for the ninth-most at that age. After World War II, Soto had the highest on-base percentage of any player with at least 2,000 plate appearances at .421, followed by Pujols (.413), Mickey Mantle (.412), and Mike Trout (.405). Continue.
So when I stopped by the Padres’ camp and essentially asked how Soto was achieving those numbers, I was looking for more than just a numerical explanation for Soto.
“What really impressed me on the field was seeing a guy who didn’t give up a single at-bat,” said Mike Shildt, who was an advisor to the Padres the past two years before taking over as manager. “You talk about hitting numbers, but I’ve been lucky to be around high-level players like Albert and Goldie.” [Paul Goldschmidt] And they treat their at-bats like gold, no matter the circumstances. So is Juan. ”
Soto was traded from the Nationals to the Padres on August 2, 2022. Then, on December 7 of this year, San Diego acquired five players (four pitchers) from the Yankees, as they were looking to lower their annual salaries and deepen their player base. They brought in Trent Grisham and tried to improve their disappointing offense with more left-handed punching and balance.
“for [Soto], it starts with plate discipline,” Padres starter Joe Musgrove said. “The players who can control the zone the best are the most difficult to throw. As pitchers, we ultimately want to throw as few strikes as possible to get the opponent out. It’s easier to get out. You don’t have to be in the zone to do it. [Soto] He’s very good at counting, but even when he’s behind the count, he’s not afraid to drive it to two strikes and get back on the count. I don’t know how many times he went from 0-2 last year, but when he steps up to bat after that, he’s a big threat. I feel like he plans on getting at least one walk and two or three hits every day. ”
After falling behind with 0 wins and 2 losses last year, Soto recorded 11 walks, the most in MLB, but his walk rate from 0 wins and 2 losses was 10.8 times higher than Soto’s 9.2 times. Edward Julian of Minnesota was the only one.
“Every at-bat with Juan is total war. Whether it’s the first inning or the ninth inning, even if the team is winning by 10 runs, it’s a battle. We’re treating it like seven games,” Padres GM AJ Preller said. “That’s 162 games and 600 at-bats. That’s a special quality. And when you see a player that handles every pitch like that, I think the Yankees are going to feed off of that.”
When Preller says “162 games,” he means 162 games. Soto has only been on the IL once in 2021, for two weeks, due to a sprained shoulder in his shoulder. Since his debut in 2018, Soto has played in 778 games, making him the seventh-most played, including being one of four players to play in 162 games last year.
“He posted every game,” Shildt said. “There were days when he didn’t feel well and he didn’t forgive Bob.” [Melvin, now former Padres manager,] To take him out of the lineup. please think about it. You post every day, get through a tough season, and never give up at the plate. That’s very impressive. ”
What about the downside?
Fangraphs ranked Soto as the seventh-worst defensive outfielder and 18th-worst baserunner last year.
Coach Preller said, “His calling card is the offensive side of the game and he understands that’s what he gets.” We asked him to play right field in 2022 and left field in 2023, and he’s working on his craft. He cares. He is a detail-oriented person. He is not entirely responsible in this area. He is more than capable. He’s a good, solid outfielder and he’s going to continue to get better because he has integrity and values that. ”
There are also Joey Votto-like questions about whether Soto is too passive at the plate, and whether he’s too obsessed with long counts and walks when he’s at bat. He batted .299 with runners in scoring position and had an OPS of 1.016. However, he also recorded 51 strikeouts (his 8th most in MLB, followed by Grisham’s 50). Shildt called it “part of Juan’s identity” and warned those who might want the superstar to veer away from it.
The Padres had an extremely poor performance last year, missing out on the playoffs with a record of 82 wins and 80 losses, the same as the Yankees. A September article in The Athletic reported on the toxic atmosphere surrounding the Padres that was widely whispered about during the game. Although Soto is not mentioned by name in the story, there were at least whispers that he did not try to break out of his insular bubble and try to integrate and improve the situation.
“For me, Juan has won a lot in his career, including the World Series,” Preller said. [in 2019].He helped us go to LCS [in 2022]. I think he wants to fit in wherever he goes because he cares. He cares about his craft and being good. he is serious He’s going to go into an environment with a lot of players who really want to win, and I think he’ll do well.”
