Just 16 games into his debut season with the New York Mets,Juan Soto is still searching for his power stroke. The slugger, who signed a record-breaking $765 million contract this offseason, has posted a career-low .829 OPS and went 13 games without a home run before finally breaking the drought in Monday’s 5-1 victory over the Minnesota Twins.
While Soto has long been one of MLB’s most disciplined hitters, pitchers are approaching him differently this season. In an interview with The New York Post, Soto acknowledged that his lack of protection in the lineup, specifically the absence of Aaron Judge batting behind him, has led to a noticeable shift in how opponents pitch to him.
“It’s definitely different,” Soto said. “I had the best hitter in baseball [Judge] hitting behind me. I was getting more attacked and more pitches in the strike zone, less intentional walks and things like that. I was pitched differently last year.”
There is evidence to back up his frstration
The numbers back up Soto’s observations. According to Fangraphs, he is seeing a career-low 44.6% of his pitches in the strike zone, compared to 47.2% in his standout season with the Yankees. Known for his elite ability to draw walks, Soto has become even more selective at the plate, swinging at just 32.7% of the pitches he’s seen, another career low.
Pitchers appear content to let other Mets players beat them instead, and that strategy has contributed to a hot start for first baseman Pete Alonso. Entering Tuesday’s games, Alonso leads the National League with a 1.136 OPS, making the most of the opportunities created by Soto’s patience at the plate.
Despite his slow power start, Soto has remained a key contributor in the Mets lineup. He ranks among the top 10 hitters in walks and runs scored, proving that even without frequent home runs, his ability to get on base and create scoring opportunities is still valuable.
Fortunately for the Mets, Soto’s early struggles haven’t hurt the team. They currently sit atop the NL East with an 11-5 record. While the scrutiny surrounding Soto’s historic contract will persist, there’s reason to believe this stretch is more of a temporary adjustment than a long-term concern.
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