TAMPA — Not only are you watching Juan Soto from afar, from across the diamond or through a highlight reel, but you’re also watching him on your team every day.
After years of doing the former, the Yankees are enjoying the latter.
“I knew it would be fun to watch him, but I just love watching him,” Gerrit Cole said Friday. “It’s really nice to see him so grateful.”
Soto has only been with the Yankees for four games, with spring training underway at that point, but he wasted no time reminding himself of his talent on a regular basis.
The star outfielder hit his third home run in four games Sunday, capping off an eight-pitch at-bat with a 405-foot shot.
“It’s impressive,” manager Aaron Boone said after the Tigers’ 7-2 loss at Steinbrenner Field. “I mean, it feels like he’s trying to break through a wall every time he swings. It’s fun to watch.”
Spring training results generally don’t mean much, especially for a veteran (even though Soto is only 25 years old), but his at-bats may be more encouraging than the final results.
In his first at-bat on Sunday, he faced three pitches and was down 1-2 (one of the called strikes was outside the zone), but he fouled three borderline pitches and stole the next ball. Ta.
He then caught a low slider in the zone from Tigers right-hander Matt Manning and hit a solo home run.
“He embodies what we want in a batting lineup with his toughness at the plate,” Boone said. “I’m sure he is.”
Through four games, Soto had six hits in nine at-bats, three home runs, two doubles, two walks, and one strikeout. His biggest focus in spring training will be observing pitches, especially focusing on timing against sinkers and off-speed pitches.
“Sometimes that’s why I take one pitch,” Soto said. Soto was nearly hit with another home run to left field in his second at-bat before he singled in his third at-bat. “Sometimes I feel like my timing is better once I start swinging, and I hate taking the first pitch.”
Soto’s new teammates are enjoying watching what happens when he swings.
“I feel like I’m home. Coming out of the first inning, by the time I get home it should be 2-0.” [back] I’m out,” Nestor Cortes said. “That’s what it feels like 62.” [home run] that year [Aaron] Every time Judge stepped up to bat, everyone expected him to hit a home run. ”
Since the start of camp, the Yankees have talked about wanting Soto to feel comfortable in his new environment as quickly as possible. Not only because free agency decisions are looming next offseason, but also because the more comfortable Soto is, the better. He might be active this season.
Anthony Rizzo, one of the Yankees’ clubhouse leaders, said, [Soto] He knows, and all the new players know, this is their team. ”
So far, so good.
“They’ve done a really great job of welcoming me and making me feel comfortable here,” Soto said.
As for Cole’s comment about loving watching him play?
“That means I’m doing my job right,” Soto said.
Opposing pitchers may not feel all that warm and fuzzy about it this season, especially if Judge is batting behind Soto.
Batting in this order might force pitchers to give Soto a few more pitches, but Boone didn’t think that was a guarantee.
“They’re going to be very careful with Juan Soto,” Boone said. “But it should help. The fact that he’s probably going to do well.” [base] Anyway, another great hitter walks in there at a ridiculously high clip. [behind him] I hope it will be of good use to us. ”
