NEW YORK — New York Mets superstar outfielder Juan Soto is realizing just how different life is without Aaron Judge looming in the on-deck circle.
“I had the best hitter in baseball batting behind me,” Soto told the New York Post. “I was getting attacked and more pitches in the strike zone, less intentional walks and things like that. I was pitched differently last year.”
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Soto is still seeing success with the Mets, having posted a 138 wRC+ heading into Tuesday’s game against the Minnesota Twins. But his 138 wRC+, meaning Soto is 38 percent better than the average MLB hitter, is 20 percentage points below his career average. Soto also only has two home runs through 16 games.
The outfielder is correct that he’s seeing fewer pitches in the strike zone this season compared to his lone year with the Yankees in 2024. According to Statcast, Soto saw 46.4 percent of pitches thrown in the strike zone in 2024. This season, he’s seeing only 43.2 percent of pitches in the zone, which would be a career low. Opposing pitchers are also attacking Soto differently with runners on base this season. According to The Athletic’s Mets writer Will Sammon, among all players who have seen at least 100 pitches with a runner on, Soto is seeing pitches in the heart of the zone just 16 percent of the time — the lowest rate in MLB.
Soto signed a 15-year, $765 million contract with the Mets this offseason, spurning the Yankees after helping lead them to their first World Series appearance since 2009. Soto also hit a career-high 41 home runs in 2024. Judge was unaware of Soto’s comments when reporters asked for his thoughts, but he said he believes Soto will continue to be one of the best players in the sport.
“He’s got probably one of the best hitters in the game right now with what (Pete) Alonso is doing,” Judge said. “It’s been fun to watch. He’s hitting close to .400, driving the ball all over the field and driving guys in. They’re gonna be just fine. I’ve watched (Soto) in the league for so many years and getting a chance to see him up close — he can look at what I did last April for an example. He just needs to keep being himself. He’s going to be just fine.”
Last March and April, Judge had just a .754 OPS with six home runs before finishing the season with 58 home runs and his second American League MVP award. Judge wanted the Yankees to re-sign Soto, but the club fell short with its 16-year, $760 million offer.
“Like I’ve said all year and even in the offseason, you can’t replace a guy like Soto,” Judge said. “He’s one of one. That’s why he signed the deal he did and why all the major league teams were after a guy like that.”
Without Soto, the Yankees currently have the best offense in MLB, with a 142 wRC+. Ben Rice, who’s now hitting in front of Judge, has been one of MLB’s biggest breakout performers in the early part of the season. Rice ranks in the 100th percentile in both barrel and hard-hit percentages. His 211 wRC+ ranks fourth in baseball behind Judge, Jonathan Aranda and Alonso.
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Yankees manager Aaron Boone believes his club could finish the season at the top of offensive rankings, even without having Soto at the top of their order this year.
“I think we have a chance to have a really good offense,” Boone said. “We have the best player in the sport right in the middle of things. I feel like we have really capable people around him.”
(Photo: Wendell Cruz / Imagn Images)
This news was originally published on this post .
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