Juan Soto’s Slow Start: Time to Panic?

Juan Soto made history this past offseason when he signed the biggest contract in professional baseball history. The New York Mets gave him a 15-year, $765 million deal, and with that came sky-high expectations. But as the season reaches about one-third of the way through, Soto’s performance has raised some concerns.

So far, Soto is hitting just .233 with 11 home runs and 30 RBIs. Even more troubling is his batting average with runners in scoring position, which is only around .130. That means when teammates are on base and there’s a chance to score runs, Soto hasn’t been able to come through very often. This is surprising for a player who is known as one of the best hitters in baseball.

Breaking the Slump?

He recently broke out of a long 17-game homerless streak with a big fourth-inning home run in the Mets’ 8-2 win over the Rockies on Saturday. It was his first home run since May 9, and it brought a sigh of relief to fans hoping to see him turn things around.

Despite the struggles, manager Carlos Mendoza is showing support.

"He's going to get through it, he's too good of a hitter. Obviously good night for him... it was good to see Soto finally getting some good results there," Mendoza said. (SNY)

Soto also spoke about the tough stretch.

"I know I've been struggling, and I haven't been there for them, but I will be. It's a matter of time, we don't know when it's gonna come through, but I'm going to keep working," Soto said. (SNY)

Looking on the Bright Side in New York

The good news is that the Mets are still playing great baseball. They are currently tied with the Phillies for first place in the NL East with a 38-23 record. And they’ve done all this without Soto playing at his best. If he returns to form at the plate, the Mets will be even stronger as they fight for their first World Series title since 1986.

After a high-profile move from the Mets’ crosstown rivals, the Yankees, Soto entered the season under the spotlight. While his struggles have drawn attention, the team remains confident in his ability to turn things around.

So, is it time to panic? Not yet. Soto has too much talent and too strong of a track record to be counted out this early. With plenty of season left, there’s still time for him to find his swing and help lead the Mets deep into October.