Despite some ups and downs and the pressure of public criticism after joining the Mets, Juan Soto has been outstanding in New York.
Really, truly outstanding.
On Wednesday, Soto hit two home runs to help the Mets beat the Atlanta Braves 7 to 3, only their second win in 12 games. His first homer sparked a five-run burst in the fourth inning at Citi Field. The second homer moved him past Jimmie Foxx for the most multi-homer games in Major League Baseball history by a player before turning 27. Soto said he felt emotional after that moment, understanding how big the record was.
“That was pretty cool for me,” he said.
Soto finished the game 2-for-4, both homers coming off pitchers Didier Fuentes and Austin Cox, landing in almost the same spot in right-centre field. With 27 career multi-homer games, he leads a list including Hall of Famers like Foxx, Mel Ott, and Eddie Mathews. This June, Soto has already hit 10 homers, tied for the most in the Major Leagues alongside Cal Raleigh and Eugenio Suárez, including five homers in his last five games.
“He’s a special player,” said Mets reliever Ryne Stanek. “There are only a handful of guys in the game who can do what he’s doing.”
June has been one of Soto’s best months ever. Last week, he reached his 1,000th career hit and has since added seven more. On Wednesday, he joined Darryl Strawberry as the only Mets players with at least 10 homers and 20 walks in a single month.
Right now, Soto leads the Mets in home runs, runs scored, walks, on-base percentage and Wins Above Replacement. He even has nine stolen bases.
“That’s why you buy a ticket to watch a baseball game,” said Mets manager Carlos Mendoza. “It’s a show. You pay to watch this guy at the plate.”
If there were any doubts about Soto’s start to his huge 15-year, $765 million contract, he’s erased them all. At the halfway point of the season, he’s on track for a .256 batting average with a .393 on-base percentage and .505 slugging, along with 28 doubles, 38 homers, a possible franchise record 132 walks, and a career-best 18 steals.
It won’t be the very best season of his career, but it will be impressive enough to put him in the National League MVP conversation.
“It’s starting to happen,” Soto said. “My swing and everything are going well. Finally, the cold weather is gone, so I can enjoy myself.”
Over the past 19 days, he’s lifted his on-base plus slugging (OPS) by more than 100 points. Mets teammates and experts agree Soto is a generational talent, mixing elite bat control, power, speed and baseball smarts.
“He’s going to be a Hall of Famer,” said Stanek. “He’s definitely one of the best I’ve ever played with.”
And he doesn’t turn 27 until October 😉
(via @SlangsOnSports) pic.twitter.com/fFFVcSDm0K
— New York Mets (@Mets) June 26, 2025
Photo: Jim McIsaac/Getty Images
