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Weekend Surge Eases Skepticism Over Juan Soto’s Slow Mets Start

Reaching base seven times in Colorado has validated the Mets’ confidence in his skills.

Overview

  • Juan Soto signed a $765 million contract in the offseason and struggled to match his career .953 OPS, entering Tuesday with a .794 OPS through 59 games.
  • Statcast metrics indicate Soto remains an elite hitter, ranking in the 95th percentile for exit velocity and hard-hit rate and the 99th percentile for walk rate.
  • Mets president David Stearns and manager Carlos Mendoza have publicly defended Soto’s form and expressed faith in his long-term performance.
  • Soto reached base seven times, including two homers and four runs scored, across three games in Colorado over the weekend.
  • The recent hot stretch has eased fan criticism and suggested that the veteran slugger is adapting to his new lineup.