Per week in the past, when Juan Soto lastly took the sector in entrance of the Flushing devoted in the course of the 2025 residence opener, he ran down a fly ball by Toronto Blue Jays slugger Anthony Santander that appeared destined to go over the fence and depart the yard for a two-run shot.
Soto had appreciable floor to cowl because the ball tailed towards the nook. However then it misplaced velocity simply as Soto picked up his. He ran to the wall, reached up, flipped his arm round and made the catch with simply sufficient time to brace himself for a collision within the nook.
Enable him to reintroduce himself.
Whereas Soto isn’t any stranger to New York, it’s his bat that endeared him to Yankee followers earlier than he went to a different borough in free company, not his glove. However Soto has made no secret of his want to enhance his protection, and he noticed indicators of enchancment as not too long ago as spring coaching.
Since Soto arrived within the massive leagues as an adolescent, his protection has been common at greatest. Since 2018, he has persistently ranked among the many backside of the league’s proper fielders with -16 OAA, and -24 combining all of his innings at each corners.
Nevertheless, Richardson needs to make use of those self same attributes that make Soto such a profitable hitter to assist him change into a stronger outfielder.
“I think the tools are there,” Richardson stated. “I would say it’s bringing them all together. I think we see what type of hitter he is, how dynamic he is, and the focus and intent [at the plate]. And I think he has the ability to do those same things defensively.”
It’s too early to measure any actual change, however issues are trending in a constructive route for Soto in proper area. He already possesses first-step quickness and pure velocity. The Mets need him to make higher selections and take higher routes.
“We just have to build on his strengths,” Richardson stated. “We’re trying to help him with better direction out of those first steps, and then his finishing skills.”
He took the spot of Starling Marte in proper area, who has traditionally been an elite defender when wholesome. However accidents have value him over the previous couple of years, and as not too long ago as 2023, Marte grew to become a legal responsibility within the outfield with a groin harm nonetheless inflicting him vital ache whereas working. Now, Marte is a DH whereas Soto mans proper area, however the Mets can nonetheless use Marte in proper or left to spell Soto or Brandon Nimmo.
Soto additionally has two expert heart fielders taking part in subsequent to him in Jose Siri and Tyrone Taylor, who break up time on the spot. Taylor is a superb defender and perhaps a bit extra cerebral, whereas Siri makes wild performs and wild circus-like catches. He can depend on them when one thing goes extra towards the center.
With Soto signed for 15 years, he can take his time working. At solely 26 years previous, it’s not unrealistic to assume that he’s able to bettering.
“I think he’s played pretty well out there,” stated president of baseball operations David Stearns. “I think he’s made some catches that have surprised some people, and so I gave him a ton of credit for that. He’s worked really well with Antoine. He wants the information. He wants to know how he’s doing, and I would expect him to just continue to incrementally get better.”
Most significantly, Soto has the need. He made progress final 12 months with the Yankees, going from -6 defensive runs saved to +1 in proper area.
It’s a course of, nevertheless it’s one all concerned are desperate to work by.
“He’s the one who’s committed to it, he’s the one who’s talked about it, and that just makes it easier to help him,” Richardson stated. “I’m excited about the journey that we’re going to go on. I have all the confidence in the world. He’s going to put the work in, and with that, my hope is that we continue to improve, and then we have a conversation at the end of the year and see where that lands.”
Initially Printed: April 10, 2025 at 6:06 PM EDT
