Juan Soto Faces Mixed Reactions During Game
Juan Soto drew attention again on Sunday, facing loud boos during pre-game introductions and his first at-bat. This seems to be expected, as Aaron Boone mentioned earlier, it’s something Soto might have to manage during his time with the Mets, especially when playing in the Bronx.
“Maybe it is,” Boone commented. “It’s New York.” But, interestingly, the highly anticipated “Sunday Night Baseball” moment with Soto grabbing the microphone didn’t happen; he reportedly changed his mind before the game, leading to Brandon Nimmo taking over.
Such last-minute decisions aren’t rare, but it stood out given Soto’s performance, which was decent but not remarkable in the first two games of the series. One of his highlights was a stolen base on Saturday, contributing to a win thanks to a sacrifice fly in a tightly contested game.
“He’s making the most of the chances he gets,” noted Carlos Mendoza. “He trusts the information available to him.” Mendoza emphasized that Soto is not just about stealing bases; he’s actually a more rounded base runner this season. Interestingly, the latest stolen base marked Soto’s fifth of the season, a notable increase from just seven during his time with the Yankees last year.
Mendoza also mentioned that Tyrone Taylor didn’t play on Sunday after experiencing a convulsion near the end of Saturday’s game. Although Taylor felt well enough to play, the cautious decision meant that Jeff McNeill filled in at center field.
“He did fine,” Mendoza remarked about McNeill’s performance. “I don’t think he faced any major tests, but he handled routine plays effectively.” It’s clear that the manager is confident in McNeill’s abilities as he continues to gain experience in that position.
Further, Huascar Brazobán started the season as a key multi-inning reliever but has since been moved into a more significant role due to bullpen injuries and his solid performances. Mendoza hinted that, given the current circumstances, Brazobán might be relied upon for crucial innings as the season progresses.
Overall, it appears the Mets are adapting to various challenges with player performances evolving. Each game’s decisions reflect a mixture of caution and confidence as they navigate the season.
