If you’re a Latin American baseball fan, you probably saw how Juan Soto signed the largest contract in the history of the sport: 15 years for $765 million with the Mets.
But beyond the media impact, there is one key statistical fact that elevates him above the rest of the players in MLB and serves to explain to anyone why that contract makes perfect sense.
Juan Soto and on-base percentage (OBP)
In the 2025 MLB season, Juan Soto has recorded an On-Base Percentage (OBP) of .393 with the Mets. This indicator reflects how often he gets on base (hits, walks, hit by pitch), and is one of the best measures of a hitter’s true value.
- An OBP close to .400 is phenomenal; the best hitters in history reach that level or more.
- Soto doesn’t just hit; he doesn’t win at-bats passively: he combines discipline and power, and that’s reflected in almost 40% of the times he steps up to the plate.
This data, constant over the years, explains why a team would be willing to invest such an impressive figure.
Why Juan Soto’s OBP matters more than his home runs for the Mets
Although Juan Soto has power with 19 home runs so far in 2025, and holds an OPS of .899, his real strength is in making his team produce runs. Getting on base means more scoring opportunities and more constant pressure on the opponent.
Big contracts are aimed at players who deliver sustained and predictable impact. Soto, with a robust OBP, adds value in every plate appearance, something that is indispensable in a 162-game season.
Consistency throughout the seasons for Juan Soto and the New York Mets
- Since debuting in 2018, Juan Soto has been a model of efficiency:
- In 2024, between the Yankees and his time in the Major Leagues, his OBP reached .419.
- In 2025, he is hitting .393 with the Mets.
In Statcast, his hard-hit average is 56.5%, with an average exit velocity of 94.4 mph, a sign of consistent quality at contact. This sustained level of plate discipline and hard contact reinforces the organization’s confidence in its investment.
The Mets’ Million-Dollar Contract for Juan Soto
- Historic contract: A 15-year, $765 million commitment is a bet on the future. But Juan Soto, still only 26 years old, offers durability and peak performance for many years to come
- Opt-out mechanics: Includes a team option after year 5; if Soto maintains his level, the Mets can keep him for 10 more years.
- MVP incentives: There are additional bonuses, such as $500K for an MVP award, that make the contract work for both Juan Soto and the Mets if he maintains his performance
Juan Soto’s contract with the Mets is not a whim: it is based on a solid statistical profile, especially his high OBP, which ensures consistent levels of on-base and offensive contribution. This combination of performance and projection justifies every dollar of the record contract. For Latino fans in the U.S., Soto represents much more than power and drama: he is an investment in talent as well as his Dominican legacy.
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