A generational talent named Juan Soto was traded to New York Yankees this off-season to increase the odds of accomplishing the championship aspirations. The 25-year-old impending free agent, has had fun playing in Bronx ever since. However, the fact remains that Soto is not the best hitter in Yankee lineup.
For the first time in his major league career, Juan Soto finds himself as the second-best hitter on his own team, as Yankees captain Aaron Judge is in a different league altogether. Having said that, while Judge is hogging the limelight with an MVP calibre season, Soto is also silently delivering his career-best season in pinstripes.
Juan Soto’s Career Best Metrics Overshadowed By Aaron Judge’s Heroics
Without a doubt, New York Yankees captain Aaron Judge is a leading contender for bagging his career second AL MVP award with a historic season. He is hitting .322 with 41 home runs, 103 RBIs and 1.157 OPS in 111 games. Having said that, besides Judge, a 25-year-old generational talent, Juan Soto, is also delivering his career-best season. While Aaron Judge continues to hog the limelight, Soto is silently making his way up with commendable offensive metrics. Across 109 games, his batting average (.310), OBP (.437), slugging percentage (.598), OPS (1.035), and home runs (28) are his career’s best metrics for 109 appearances sample size.
Also, Juan Soto is drilling with the highest career average exit velocity (94.7 mph) and hard-hit rate (58.2%). It’s also important to note that Soto has been equally effective with the glow. He isn’t traditionally known to be an elite defender. However, he holds a 1.000 fielding percentage in right field this year. Another key attribute that makes Soto great is his away numbers. The Yankee Stadium’s short porch hasn’t necessarily helped him, as he has scored 15 home runs on the road and 13 at home. Soto’s slash line at home is 313/.436/.615 compared to .308/.438/.584 on away ballparks. Undoubtedly, if somebody is capable of giving Aaron Judge a run for his money, it is Juan Soto. Moreover, with free agency looming, Soto is determined to record an extraordinary season. With seven weeks still left on the regular season schedule, Soto will only go big from here.
Juan Soto Is Playing Through A Concerning Hand Injury
Meanwhile, Juan Soto is doing all the great things mentioned above with an injured hand. He sustained a bruise on right hand on June 28 and even skipped a game as a precautionary measure. However, every now and then, Soto is seen shrugging his hand in pain and on Sunday he took another blow while sliding down the second base.
Juan Soto revealed that he has been grinding through the hand injury since June, and on some days, the soreness is significant. “(My mindset is) you forget about it. Just go out there and swing the bat. Worry about the pain after,” Soto revealed how he is dealing with the setback. Since the bruise isn’t alarming, the Yankees are going to allow Soto to play as an everyday outfield starter for the near future.
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