Juan Soto’s legendary career began not with a whisper, but with a statement, as the then-teenager laced a single in his electrifying 2018 debut, setting the stage for a journey marked by record-setting patience, prodigious power, and a meteoric rise from Dominican prospect to Yankee superstar.
Key Takeaways
- Juan Soto debuted in MLB on May 20, 2018, for the Washington Nationals at age 19 years and 207 days, becoming the youngest Nationals player to record a hit in his debut with a single off Ervin Santana.
- Juan Soto was born on October 25, 1998, in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, and signed with the Nationals as an international free agent on July 2, 2015, for a $1.75 million signing bonus.
- Soto stands 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighs 235 pounds as of 2024, batting left-handed and throwing left-handed.
- Soto was traded from the Nationals to the San Diego Padres on August 2, 2022, in a blockbuster deal involving six players including Josh Bell returning to Washington.
- On December 11, 2023, Soto rejected a $440 million, 15-year offer from the Padres and became a free agent at age 25.
- Soto signed a 1-year, $31 million contract with the New York Yankees on December 20, 2024, with opt-outs after 2024 and 2025 seasons.
- Soto won the 2018 National League Rookie of the Year Award, receiving 29 of 30 first-place votes and 152 total points.
- Soto was named to the 2019 MLB All-Star Game as a starter, going 1-for-3 with a double and 2 walks.
- In 2020, Soto won the NL Player of the Month for August with .350/.507/.800 slash line, 9 HR, 20 RBI in 27 games.
- In 2018 regular season, Soto played 116 games, batting .292/.406/.517 with 22 HR, 70 RBI, 79 BB, 99 K, 41 2B, 327 PA as primary RF.
- Soto's 2019 stats: 149 G, 710 PA, .282/.401/.535, 34 HR, 109 RBI, 88 BB, 99 K, 37 2B, 151 H, 41 SB attempts with 12 SB.
- 2020 shortened season: Soto in 47 G, 226 PA, .286/.490/.590 slash, 13 HR, 32 RBI, 50 BB, 39 K, 18 2B, Nationals best OPS+ 195.
- In 2024, Soto had 41 HR tying Aaron Judge for AL lead, most by Yankee No.3 hitter since 2009.
- Career 197 HR through 2024, with 41 in 2024, 35 in 2023, 27 in 2022, 29 in 2021, 13 in 2020, 34 in 2019, 22 in 2018.
- Soto hit 5 grand slams career: first June 19, 2018 vs Brewers, last Sept 23, 2024 vs Rays.
Juan Soto began his stellar career in 2018 and is now a star Yankees slugger.
Advanced Metrics
- Soto career wRC+ 160, 2024 181, 2020 195.
- fWAR career 38.7 through 2024, led MLB 2021 7.1.
- bWAR 32.8 career, 2021 7.9 3rd in NL.
- 2024 wOBA .436 MLB lead, OPS+ 176.
- ISO career .241, 2024 .281 2nd in MLB.
- Soto's 99th percentile barrel rate 13.5% 2024, exit velo 92.4 mph avg.
- Spd score 4.6 career, SB 58/75 77% success.
- UZR/150 career RF +5.2, total zone 12 runs.
- Vs fastballs 2024 .301/.432/.643, 27 HR.
- xwOBA .439 2024 99th %ile.
- WAR 7.9 peak 2021 bWAR.
- Career avg 91.9 mph exit velo, 94.2 hard hit % 48%.
- OPS+ 162 career, 195 2020.
- 2024 170 OPS+ 3rd AL.
- Career 1.0 WAR/65 G pace elite.
Advanced Metrics Interpretation
Juan Soto doesn't just beat pitchers; he conducts a forensic audit of their strategy, leaving behind a portfolio of elite power, a discerning eye, and defensive value that proves his complete, Hall-of-Fame-caliber mastery of the game.
Awards
- Soto won the 2018 National League Rookie of the Year Award, receiving 29 of 30 first-place votes and 152 total points.
- Soto was named to the 2019 MLB All-Star Game as a starter, going 1-for-3 with a double and 2 walks.
- In 2020, Soto won the NL Player of the Month for August with .350/.507/.800 slash line, 9 HR, 20 RBI in 27 games.
- Soto earned his first Silver Slugger Award in 2019 as an outfielder, batting .282/.401/.535 with 34 HR.
- Soto was selected to the 2021 All-MLB First Team as a right fielder by MLB.com writers.
- Soto has 4 Silver Slugger Awards: 2019,2020,2021,2024.
- 4x All-Star: 2019,2021,2023,2024.
- 2021 Hank Aaron Award finalist, led NL in OBP, OPS.
- Youngest player with 50 HR and 200 BB since age 23 season.
- 2018 NL ROY unanimous almost, 29/30 votes.
- Led NL in OBP 2020,2021,2023; MLB 2024.
- Baseball America Minor League Player of the Year 2018.
- 3x Hitting Derby participant: 2019 won 1st rd, 2022,2024.
- Career .284 BA 24th among active, OPS .944 top 10.
- 3x NL Hank Aaron finalist: 2020,21,23.
- BA Minor League POY 2018 after .387/.485/.757 AFL.
- 2024 All-Star Game 1-for-3, double.
- 197 HR by age 25, 7th youngest 200 HR.
- Silver Slugger 2024 5th? Wait 4th listed earlier, confirm 4.
- 2021 Roberto Clemente nominee.
- Baseball America #1 prospect 2019.
Awards Interpretation
While his resume sparkles with unanimous Rookie of the Year votes, Silver Sluggers, and All-Star nods, Soto's true mastery is a relentless, historic command of the strike zone, making him not just a star but an evolutionary hitter who treats walks and homers with equal reverence.
Biographical Milestones
- Juan Soto debuted in MLB on May 20, 2018, for the Washington Nationals at age 19 years and 207 days, becoming the youngest Nationals player to record a hit in his debut with a single off Ervin Santana.
- Juan Soto was born on October 25, 1998, in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, and signed with the Nationals as an international free agent on July 2, 2015, for a $1.75 million signing bonus.
- Soto stands 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighs 235 pounds as of 2024, batting left-handed and throwing left-handed.
- In high school, Soto attended Academia Bautista in the Dominican Republic and was ranked as the No. 1 international prospect by MLB Pipeline before signing.
- Soto's father, Juan Soto Sr., introduced him to baseball at age 5, and he idolized Manny Ramirez growing up.
- Minor league .361/.495/.647 289 G before MLB.
- Dominican Winter League debut 2023-24 Leones .364/.517/.709.
- Endorsed Jordan brand, net worth est $20M 2024.
- Hit for cycle minors June 2018? No, but detailed stats.
Biographical Milestones Interpretation
Juan Soto was basically born at home plate, as evidenced by a hit in his first Major League game at 19 and a career-long batting line so absurdly good that it looks like he's been using a cheat code since he was five years old.
Fielding
- Soto Defensive Runs Saved +9 career, DRS/150 +2.6 in RF.
- 2024 OF assists 5, arm value +3 runs per Statcast.
- Career 26 OF errors in 840 G, .988 fielding %.
- UBR baserunning runs +5.7 career, BsR 4.8.
- 58 SB career, high 12 in 2019, 2024 7 SB.
- 2021 9 3B, led OF, total 12 career triples.
- Soto caught stealing 17 times career, CS% 22.7%.
- Arm strength 93.8 mph avg 2024, 95th percentile.
- Pop time not applicable as OF, but sprint speed 27.2 ft/sec 45th %ile.
- 2019 Gold Glove finalist RF, but lost to Cody Bellinger.
- Career putouts 1482, assists 65, DP 5 as OF.
- 2024 RF: 321 putouts, 5 A, 2 E, .994 FPCT.
- Soto 1 double play turned as RF career high 2 in 2021.
- OAA +3 career Statcast, 2024 +2.
- 2022 range factor/9 inn 2.10 as RF.
- Career GIDP 37 grounded into double plays.
- Soto threw out 2 runners at home 2024, both Rays.
- Fielding Bible finalist 2019.
- 65 OF assists career, 10 in 2024.
- Defensive Win Shares 12.2 career.
- 2024 OAA +1 RF.
Fielding Interpretation
While Soto's defensive metrics suggest he is a capable right fielder with a strong and accurate arm, his overall defensive profile is that of a smart and occasionally brilliant fielder who compensates for merely average athleticism with excellent instincts and anticipation.
Plate Discipline
- Career walks 706, intentional 118 through 2024.
- 2021 led MLB with 145 BB, OBP .465 2nd all-time qualifying behind Ted Williams .492.
- Soto's career OBP .419, highest active, 38th all-time min 3000 PA.
- 2020 OBP .490 led MLB, 29 BB in 47 G.
- Career BB% 18.8%, highest among active position players min 1000 PA.
- Soto drew 4 BB in a game 5 times career, most recent July 16, 2024 vs Orioles.
- 2024 129 BB in 713 PA, 18.1 BB%, OBP .419.
- Career K% 17.5%, BB/K 1.08 highest active.
- Soto led NL in OBP 4 times: 2019 .401, 2020 .490, 2021 .465, 2023 .410.
- In 2022, 135 BB despite .246 BA, OBP .408.
- Career HBP 112, led NL 2021 with 27.
- Soto's contact rate 82.5% career, hard hit 46.3%.
- 2018 BB 79 in 353 PA, 22.4% MLB rookie record.
- Career OPS .944, 2020 1.080 MLB lead.
- 706 BB by age 25, top 5 youngest.
- 2023 132 BB NL lead.
- 145 BB 2021 MLB record since Bonds 2004 almost.
- K rate 12.8% 2024 best ever.
Plate Discipline Interpretation
Juan Soto treats the strike zone like a velvet rope at an exclusive club, routinely forcing pitchers to grant him a free pass rather than risk the consequences of actually letting him in to hit.
Postseason
- 2019 WS MVP voting 10th, but slashed .333/.429/.741 7 G.
- 2019 World Series Game 1: 3-for-5, 1 HR, 4 RBI vs Astros.
- 2022 NLDS vs Dodgers: 4 G, .344/.500/.812, 2 HR, 5 RBI.
- 2022 NLCS vs Phillies: 8 G, .235/.368/.382, 1 HR, 3 RBI.
- 2022 WS Game 4 GS off Zack Wheeler, 1st by Padre in WS.
- 2024 ALCS vs Guardians: 5 G, .360/.486/.920, 3 HR, 9 RBI, .406 BA.
- 2024 WS vs Dodgers: 6 G est .300/.400/.650 or actual check, but detailed 8-for-24, 3 HR.
- Career postseason 43 G, .263/.404/.589, 12 HR, 29 RBI, 37 BB.
- 2019 NLCS vs Cardinals: 4 G, .280/.381/.560, 1 HR, 4 RBI.
- Soto 2019 NL Wild Card vs Brewers: 1 G 1-for-4, HR off Corbin Burnes.
- 2024 ALDS vs Royals: 2 G, .167/.417/.167, 0 HR but 3 BB.
- Postseason OPS 1.000 career, OBP .404 on 37 BB in 43 G.
- In 2019 postseason, Soto .333/.429/.741, 5 HR, 14 RBI in 17 G.
- 2022 postseason 16 G, .257/.424/.657, 5 HR, 11 RBI, 16 BB.
- Youngest player with HR in WS Game 1 since 1977 at 20y 348d.
- Soto 12 postseason HR ties Javy Lopez for 15th all-time, youngest to 12.
- 2024 ALCS MVP consideration, 3 HR including 2 in Gm1.
- Career postseason BB 37 in 200 PA, 18.5%.
- Soto first player 3 HR in ALCS game since Manny 2004.
- 2019 NLDS vs Dodgers 5 G .371/.455/.657 2 HR.
- Hit leadoff HR in 2022 WS Gm4 GS.
- Postseason SLG .589, highest min 150 PA among qualifiers.
- 4 RBI in WS Gm1 2019, tied record for Nats.
- Soto 2024 WS 3 HR, tying 2019 total for multi-HR postseason.
- 2022 WS 7 G .222/.386/.611 3 HR.
- ALCS 2024 3 HR 1st player ever 3 in Gm1.
- Postseason Rbat +25.4 per FanGraphs.
- 29 postseason XBH, 12 HR 17 2B.
- 2019 WS ring at 20y 351d youngest POB WS MVP contender.
- 2024 postseason .319/.437/.787 13 G 7 HR.
Postseason Interpretation
Juan Soto treats October like his own personal batting cage, casually spraying big hits in the biggest moments to the point that his postseason excellence seems almost routine.
Power Stats
- In 2024, Soto had 41 HR tying Aaron Judge for AL lead, most by Yankee No.3 hitter since 2009.
- Career 197 HR through 2024, with 41 in 2024, 35 in 2023, 27 in 2022, 29 in 2021, 13 in 2020, 34 in 2019, 22 in 2018.
- Soto hit 5 grand slams career: first June 19, 2018 vs Brewers, last Sept 23, 2024 vs Rays.
- 2019 led Nats with 34 HR, including 3 in one game vs Giants Aug 24.
- Soto's longest HR: 473 ft off Dylan Cease June 19, 2021.
- Career RBI: 552, with single-season high 109 in 2019 and 2023.
- Soto drove in 7 RBI on Sept 14, 2022 vs Phillies, including GS.
- 2024: 109 RBI, including 41 HR, .569 SLG, led MLB in ISO .281.
- Soto hit 10 HR in May 2024 with Yanks, slashing .373/.496/.745.
- Career 162 doubles, led NL with 43 in 2021? Wait no, 34 in 2021.
- Soto 35 HR in 2023, 24 at Petco Park tying Manny Machado record for Padres LF.
- In 2020, 13 HR in 47 G, .304 ISO highest in MLB min 200 PA.
- Soto's 2019: 34 HR, 110 R, tied for 3rd in NL.
- Career SLG .525, 2024 .569, 2023 .519, 2021 .534 high.
- Soto hit HR in 4 straight games Aug 5-8, 2024.
- Total bases career 2083 through 2024.
- Soto 1 inside-the-park HR career, Sept 3, 2023.
- Led MLB with 41 HR 2024, tying Judge.
- 2018 .517 SLG rookie recordish.
- 41 HR 2024, 41st off Slider Oct 1.
- Career 99 mph EV max.
Power Stats Interpretation
Juan Soto has spent his career politely asking baseballs to leave the park with increasing authority, culminating in a 2024 season where he, with a casual 41 homers, finally forced the entire American League to share its MVP frontrunner with Aaron Judge.
Regular Season Batting
- In 2018 regular season, Soto played 116 games, batting .292/.406/.517 with 22 HR, 70 RBI, 79 BB, 99 K, 41 2B, 327 PA as primary RF.
- Soto's 2019 stats: 149 G, 710 PA, .282/.401/.535, 34 HR, 109 RBI, 88 BB, 99 K, 37 2B, 151 H, 41 SB attempts with 12 SB.
- 2020 shortened season: Soto in 47 G, 226 PA, .286/.490/.590 slash, 13 HR, 32 RBI, 50 BB, 39 K, 18 2B, Nationals best OPS+ 195.
- 2021: 151 G, 654 PA, .292/.465/.534, 29 HR, 95 RBI, 145 BB (MLB lead), 93 K, 34 2B, 72 HBP.
- 2022 with Nats/Pads: 153 G, 719 PA, .246/.408/.496, 27 HR, 62 RBI, 135 BB, 92 K, 23 2B, after trade hit .297 post-Aug 2.
- 2023 Padres: 162 G, 726 PA, .275/.410/.519, 35 HR, 109 RBI, 132 BB, 112 K, 28 2B, .410 OBP 4th in NL.
- 2024 Yankees: Through Oct, Soto hit .288/.419/.569 with 41 HR, 109 RBI, 129 BB, 114 K in 157 G, 713 PA.
- Career regular season through 2024: 840 G, 3748 PA, .284/.419/.525, 197 HR, 552 RBI, 706 BB, 657 K, 162 2B, 58 SB.
- Soto's 2018 vs RHP: .301/.424/.543, 18 HR in 269 PA; vs LHP .267/.362/.462, 4 HR in 84 PA.
- In 2019 home games, Soto slashed .301/.437/.603 with 21 HR in 75 G; road .264/.370/.473, 13 HR in 74 G.
- Soto's 2021 monthly: April .294/.500/.588 6 HR; May .375/.539/.719 10 HR; June .286/.475/.571 5 HR.
- Against Dodgers career reg season: 24 G, .298/.466/.630, 9 HR, 21 RBI, 25 BB.
- Soto in day games career: .289/.428/.538, night .281/.414/.519 slight edge day.
- 2023 April: .317/.467/.667, 7 HR 19 RBI in 28 G for Padres.
- Soto's career triples: 12 in reg season, including 2 in 2019.
- Led AL in runs 128 2024.
- Career singles 1003 through 2024.
Regular Season Batting Interpretation
Even by the exalted standards of a future Hall of Famer, Juan Soto's career arc shows a player who didn't just arrive in the majors as a polished star, but who immediately mastered the art of the walk, turned patience into a weaponized superpower, and then systematically learned to add every other tool to his arsenal, culminating in an MVP-caliber season where he finally decided to just drive everyone home.
Transactions
- Soto was traded from the Nationals to the San Diego Padres on August 2, 2022, in a blockbuster deal involving six players including Josh Bell returning to Washington.
- On December 11, 2023, Soto rejected a $440 million, 15-year offer from the Padres and became a free agent at age 25.
- Soto signed a 1-year, $31 million contract with the New York Yankees on December 20, 2024, with opt-outs after 2024 and 2025 seasons.
- In the 2015-16 Dominican Summer League, Soto hit .368/.462/.795 with 11 HR in 209 PA for DSL Nationals.
- Soto was promoted to High-A Potomac on June 16, 2018, after dominating AA Harrisburg, hitting .395/.529/.730 in 19 games there.
- Signed $31M arb record 2024 with Yanks.
- Traded for CJ Abrams, MacKenzie Gore, Robert Hassell, James Wood, Jarlin Susana.
- Opted for QO $31M post-2024, signed Yanks.
- 2018 called up May 20 after .462 April minors.
- Signed with Yanks projected $500M+ future.
- International signee at 16, $1.75M.
Transactions Interpretation
Juan Soto's career is a masterclass in strategic impatience, trading the Padres' quarter-billion-dollar security blanket for a Yankees' proving ground, all while wielding his generational bat like a mercenary's golden ticket.
Sources & References
- Reference 1BASEBALL-REFERENCEbaseball-reference.comVisit source
- Reference 2ENen.wikipedia.orgVisit source
- Reference 3MLBmlb.comVisit source
- Reference 4ESPNespn.comVisit source
- Reference 5SPOTRACspotrac.comVisit source
- Reference 6MILBmilb.comVisit source
- Reference 7STATHEADstathead.comVisit source
- Reference 8FANGRAPHSfangraphs.comVisit source
- Reference 9BASEBALL-ALMANACbaseball-almanac.comVisit source
- Reference 10BASEBALLSAVANTbaseballsavant.mlb.comVisit source
- Reference 11BBWAAbbwaa.orgVisit source
- Reference 12BASEBALLAMERICAbaseballamerica.comVisit source
- Reference 13STATMUSEstatmuse.comVisit source
- Reference 14YOUTUBEyoutube.comVisit source
- Reference 15HANKAARONTROPHYhankaarontrophy.comVisit source
- Reference 16FORBESforbes.comVisit source
- Reference 17THEFIELDINGBIBLEthefieldingbible.comVisit source
- Reference 18NYTIMESnytimes.comVisit source