PORT ST. LUCIE — Like many within the Mets clubhouse, Mark Vientos paid cautious consideration to what Juan Soto was doing this spring. Once you’re outlined by greatness, individuals need to see what makes them nice, and the way they’ll emulate it.
However Vientos was shocked to search out out that somebody who performs with a lot aptitude on the sphere was so reserved.
It’s simple to see why Vientos was anticipating a a lot louder, assertive persona. In any case, this is identical man who acquired right into a back-and-forth cup-grabbing battle with a pitcher throughout an NLCS recreation. Soto’s at-bats are a masterclass in how you can get beneath the pores and skin of pitchers, with the celebrity slugger typically licking his lips, staring down his competitors and, after all, shuffling in between pitches.
However that’s the on-field Soto, who’s ultra-competitive and can do what he must do to get the adrenaline going. Off the sphere, Soto is considerably shy.
“I don’t like to talk,” Soto stated. “I’m more quiet.”
Although his status precedes him, the 26-year-old Soto has been the brand new child in school thrice since 2022. For a quiet man, these transitions will be powerful. The Mets have already got a tight-knit group, and it’s human nature for individuals to separate off into completely different factions.
“It’s going to take a while,” Soto stated. “First, you’ve got to get to know the guys and get to know the staff and how things work over here. You’re just not going to come in and be like, ‘Oh, I want things done this way.’ No, you’ve got to get used to what they’ve been doing and what has been working for them, and how they’ve been successful in the past. So I think it takes a little bit — it takes a while — to sit down and read the mindsets and the team.”
Staff leaders Francisco Lindor and Brandon Nimmo work to ensure the group feels inclusive. It really works as a result of the 2 of them are very completely different from each other, however they’ve the identical aim in thoughts, which helps the Mets win. They imagine that each participant wants to have the ability to be themselves with a purpose to play their greatest. That philosophy extends to their $765 million celebrity outfielder.
“He leads by example, and he has a presence about him, but yeah, he’s not going to be the first one to speak all the time and be super loud about it,” Nimmo stated. “But you know, that’s OK with me. We need all kinds of different personalities on this team. He leads in his own way, and it’s by example, in the way he carries himself a lot, and that’s plenty.”
The Mets have made it clear that they don’t want Soto to be a vocal chief within the group. Soto isn’t exceptionally snug being a “leader,” however he understands that when you’ve the contract he has, some management is anticipated. Nonetheless, it might probably are available many kinds.
The Yankees noticed that final season when Soto got here to the Bronx after a winter conferences commerce from the San Diego Padres. It was Aaron Choose‘s team, but Soto was far more than just a supporting cast member. Soto didn’t simply speak about successful, he put within the work to make himself a winner.
“You watch his routine and process and work ethic, and you know he walks the walk,” stated Yankees supervisor Aaron Boone. “So when you’re a great player and you walk the walk, you know people take notice and pay attention. That’s what he was for us.”
One instance was a line-drive competitors early in camp. Throughout batting follow, Soto rapidly introduced guidelines for a contest. It lightened up an in any other case uninteresting exercise and offered a lift of vitality to the crew. Soto’s drive is likely to be his greatest management trait.
“He loves to compete, so if he can bring the competition level up, it really brings him up,” Nimmo stated. “That’s something that you have to know about yourself.”
Soto, stated Mets nearer Edwin Diaz, is “always working.” All the time within the batting cages, all the time caring for his physique. He prioritizes sleep and routines.
However Starling Marte acquired him out of his shell a bit this spring, with Soto calling him a “mentor” for him and Jose Siri. Marte drove the three of them round Port St. Lucie, serving to them navigate a brand new place and a brand new group.
There may have been rigidity from Soto and Marte, on condition that Soto pushed Marte out of proper area. However Marte, who’s a decade older than Soto, sees “a good kid” who works laborious from the identical place he calls residence, and that’s sufficient for him.
Soto could not have the persona of a Pete Alonso, or the decisiveness of a Lindor. However what he does have is a tireless work ethic that he thinks will win over Mets followers.
“Mets fans are going to get Juan Soto, he’s happy every day,” Soto stated. “I’m going to try to have my best smile out there and try to play the best way I can to give 100% every day.”
