Kevin Long held the same position with the Nationals for four years, interspersed with stints as hitting coach with the Yankees and Philadelphia.
The 2018-2021 seasons were the first four seasons of Juan Soto’s major league career.
Few know Soto’s approach and personality at the plate better than Long, who is in his third season with the Phillies.
So the two met again in front of the visiting dugout before Wednesday’s series finale at Citizens Bank Park.
“He’s one of the guys that’s been with me since the beginning,” Soto said. “He’s taught me a lot, not just how to hit, but how to play in the league. He’s been a big part of my career.”
Long said he believes that, given his history, leaving San Diego to join the Yankees last offseason will be a good move for the superstar.
“I think he needed a change of scenery,” Long said, “and the Yankees were a good fit for him.”
Asked what he thought went wrong for his former student, Long said, “I think maybe things didn’t work out the way they did in San Diego. It wasn’t how I remembered it. It was just difficult for him. He’s calmer now. He’s happy with his situation. You can see the difference.”
The main reason is pretty simple, and it’s the same reason Long thinks Soto wasn’t happy with the end of his tenure in Washington when he was traded to the Padres during the 2022 season.
“He knows what it’s like to win,” Long said of the Nationals’ World Series victory in 2019. “He knows how much fun it is. That’s why it was tough for him at the end, because we didn’t have a chance to win there. It’s tough for a player of his caliber. He’s not in this game just to put up numbers. He’s in this game to build relationships with his teammates and win. And he wants to do that again.”
Soto is on pace to have his best season in the major leagues, which is no doubt a product of hitting in front of Aaron Judge, but also of being in a winning culture.
“When you go to the Yankees, you always have a chance to win,” Long said, “so it’s not a surprise to me what he’s doing there. He’s the type of player who always thrives on the big stage. I’m proud of how he’s handled himself.”
Soto has been in Arizona with Long and his family this offseason taking batting practice, and Long said he wouldn’t be surprised if he gets a call from Soto this offseason when he becomes a free agent for the first time.
“I just want him to be happy and have fun,” Long said. “I know winning is a big part of how he plays and being around guys that win is a big part of how he plays and he needs that.”
“Aaron Judge has been really good for him in a lot of ways. He’s a guy that you can look at and say, ‘This is how you act and play.’ That’s good for him.”
The Yankees acquired Mark Leiter Jr. and Eniel de los Santos at the trade deadline and could potentially bring right-handers Nick Burdy and Scott Efros back to the bullpen at some point down the stretch.
Vardy returned from the 60-day disabled list (IL) on Thursday and was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
Efros is already with SWB and is still knocking off the rust after returning from Tommy John surgery and back surgery.
Right-hander Cody Poteet (triceps) was placed on the 60-day disabled list.
