Carlos Mendoza ‘leaning’ towards hitting Juan Soto behind Francisco Lindor in Mets’ lineup

With Juan Soto in the fold, the question is where Mets manager Carlos Mendoza will hit his new superstar.

Soto has played in a few different lineup spots over his seven-year career, but it feels like a no-brainer that the left-hander will hit second, behind Francisco Lindor. And it seems Mendoza is thinking the same.

Speaking with SNY’s Gary Apple for Mets Hot Stove on Wednesday, the second-year manager was asked if it’s safe to assume Soto will hit in the two-hole when Opening Day comes around.

“We could say that Soto would go two,” Mendoza answered with a smile. “The good thing is that we got great options. We got great players and there’s a lot of different ways I can go. As of right now, I’m leaning Lindor, Soto.”

Of course, Mendoza won’t show his hand just yet but it’s safe to say Lindor will lead off after his MVP-like season in that spot last year.

Batting first, Lindor slashed .303/.374/.552 with a .926 OPS, 26 home runs and 71 RBI across 109 games.

As for Soto hitting second, that seems like his best fit after the most potent offensive season of his career. In 156 games hitting in the two-hole with the Yankees, Soto slashed .287/.419/.567 with a .986 OPS. He also launched a career-high 41 home runs and drove in 108 runs batting in front of Aaron Judge.

“Unreal routine,” Mendoza said of seeing Soto at camp this spring. “As soon as he steps in the cages he knows what he’s doing, he knows the drill. There’s intention behind every swing, every take. For the guys, the younger players in big league camp, watching that guy prepare. Just the routine and how everything that he does is pretty incredible and they have to take advantage of that.”

For the rest of the Mets’ lineup, Mendoza is right when he says there are plenty of options. The two obvious hitters to bat behind Soto — assuming he hits out of the No. 2 spot — would be Mark Vientos or Pete Alonso. Both right-handed sluggers could give Soto protection and put pressure on opposing pitchers.

While it may be a bit before Mendoza locks down his Opening Day lineup, he knows he has some elite hitters to choose from.

“When you walk into the cage and see Francisco Lindor, Juan Soto, Brandon Nimmo, Pete Alonso, when these guys come to the yard it’s all business,” Mendoza said. “That’s what makes these guys elite, they are not satisfied. They are always looking for ways to improve.”