In the competitive world of Major League Baseball, everything adds up to having a good or bad perception, whether by fans or your own colleagues. In this case, that is what happened to Mets outfielder Juan Soto, who received a striking opinion or evaluation regarding his figure in MLB.
Juan Soto is universally recognized as one of the greatest offensive threats in the league and for signing an unprecedented 15-year, $765 million contract. However, a recent anonymous survey of MLB players conducted by The Athletic has exposed a truth that, for many, is incomprehensible: although Soto is one of the best hitters in the league, apparently, according to the results, his style is not the most “fun to watch”.
Soto is one of the great figures of his team and MLB, he has a batting average of .283 and an on-base percentage of .419, and although his current numbers in 2025 (an average of .252 with an OBP of .387) are not the best in relation to other seasons, he is still one of the best and most feared players by other teams.
What did surprise many was that in the category of “most fun to watch,” the Dominican star was conspicuous by his absence. Not a single mention in a list that included names such as Shohei Ohtani (with 29% of the vote), and where Aaron Judge and Francisco Lindor shared 5%. These figures draw the attention of a Soto who plays spectacularly, but apparently that is not synonymous with “attractive to watch”:
The fear of rivals
While Soto did not get the votes in the “show” category, the same survey did reveal the quality that makes him the most feared hitter in the league, especially in high-pressure situations. When pitchers were asked which hitter they would not want to face in a decisive seventh game of the World Series, Juan Soto emerged as the undisputed leader, leaving behind giants such as Ohtani and Judge.
“He’s very disciplined. He just doesn’t seem to give anything that’s not a good pitch. Anything in the zone, he hits it with the thick part of the bat. His discipline is almost intimidating, to be honest. Especially in a high-pressure situation, you feel like you have to make an absolutely perfect pitch,” an anonymous player told The Athletic.
Back to his best
After a start to the 2025 season that was, for some, below his best numbers, the recent performances of Juan Soto are giving a better signal. The Dominican is regaining his usual devastating form. His hitting numbers and, above all, his ability to do both show an adjustment and a return to that intimidating offensive presence that distinguishes him.
Juan Soto’s batting strategy may not be the most attractive to watch, but the numbers speak for themselves. His effectiveness on the field is undeniable and his peers share the opinion that he is one of the most disciplined players. That should be enough for a player who day by day convinces with his great performance.
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