Juan Soto has been the biggest addition to the New York Yankees ahead of the 2024 season. The NY side is coming off a terrible 2023 season. They failed to make the postseason for the first time since 2016. In 2023, the Bronx Bombers finished the season with a horrible 82-80 record. It was a tremendous shame because it was the organization’s worst season in the last 32 years. Moreover, the NY side finished with the second-worst batting average in the league. They were only better than the nine-time champions, the Oakland Athletics. On top of that, Aaron Judge sustained a severe toe injury that led him to miss more than 35 games on the trot.
The Yankees captain was out for a couple of months when the franchise realized they needed another superstar hitter to fill the void. Finally, in the offseason, the Bronx Bombers went all-in to land the Dominican superstar from the San Diego Padres. In the end, the best hitter in baseball signed with the Yankees for a year. But the fans want him to stay longer than his current contract of one year. Moreover, Juan Soto recently joined the Yankees in spring training and has already impressed everybody.
The First Day Of Spring Training With The Yankees Was A Great One For Juan Soto
On Tuesday, almost 500 fans showed up to see the Dominican superstar’s first day in the Yankees camp. During the first full-squad practice at Steinbrenner Field, the fans gave a nice welcome to the best hitter in baseball. Later, the new Yankees superstar joined Aaron Judge’s group for his batting practice. Soto did not disappoint the fans as he unleashed his swing and power to all fields, right, left, and center. After seeing his new partner in baseball crime, Aaron Judge mentioned the balls Soto hit out to left center, generally comes from a power-right-handed guy. But the main event saw three ups during the batting practice for Nestor Cortes and a couple for Dennis Springer.
The lefty and the non-roster righty pitchers pitched to Judge, Soto, Giancarlo Stanton, Alex Verdugo as well as Trent Grisham. Later, Aaron Boone said Cortes was not sharp for his 44 pitches. But Nestor’s speed was good, around 90-93 mph. It was quite the midseason form the team and fans expected. That helped Cortes to get the better of Soto. Later, the Dominican superstar told NJ Advance Media that whatever he saw on his first day was tough and equally impressive. After his first day, Juan Soto said he’s happy.
Cortes And Judge Praised Soto
After the first day of training with the new team, Juan Soto impressed most of his teammates. Later, Nestor Cortes told the media that it was perhaps a test to see where he was at this point. But Cortes feels it is too early for Soto to face pitchers. The lefty pitcher was able to get the better of the Dominican slugger. About that, Cortes said it was perhaps Juan’s first live batting practice since the previous season, “So nothing to it.” But Juan Soto really proved that he is no slacker. Later, Aaron Judge mentioned that Soto really works hard.
He has been seeing that from the very beginning. When others get to the training at 7 or 7.30, Soto is already working in the cage. Moreover, the Yankees captain mentioned that there are a few drills that Soto likes to do that make him feel right. Judge said, “He’s pretty disciplined with it.” Also, what impressed Judge was that Juan Soto has a plan and is very focused on that. Moreover, the 2022 AL MVP mentioned that Soto knows exactly what he wants to do in the cage.
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