Juan Soto is obviously a generational talent, particularly in the batter’s box. With five career Silver Sluggers to go along with a batting title in 2020, Soto is as feared as any hitter in baseball.
But as the 26-year-old spoke to reporters on his first day at Mets spring training in Port St. Lucie, Fla., Soto explained that there are aspects of his game, both on the field and off of it, that he’s continuously working to improve.
“Every aspect of my game,” Soto responded when asked what he can work on heading into the 2025 season. “The running part is huge for me, I have to be better baserunning, and keep improving my defense. I’ve been so close for the Gold Glove, so I try to be better every day, every year, so I can get closer and closer to that.”
Soto has never won a Gold Glove during his seven-year-career, but he came close in 2024 with the Yankees, when he finished as a finalist in right field before losing out to Boston’s Wilyer Abreu. And while the advanced metrics didn’t paint a great picture for Soto’s defense in 2024 (-4 outs above average), he did showcase one of the best arms in baseball, tallying 10 outfield assists.
“That’s a big focus for me,” Soto said of his Gold Glove hopes. “I want to be part of that group right there. I’ve been really close for the last couple of years, and I think I have a really good chance.”
And while baserunning and defense will be the areas that Soto is looking to improve upon on the field, he’s also always working on being a better leader in the clubhouse, and he’s relying on some of his former teammates who have shown him the ropes.
“I feel like guys can be a leader in different ways,” Soto said. “I’m just going to keep being myself, keep being who I am, and try to lead my way. I’m not going to change anything, I’m going to keep being the same guy. That’s what they brought me over for, to be the same guy I’ve been since Day 1.”
“I learned a lot of things [from former teammates],” Soto added. “I can’t even tell how many things those guys have [taught] me. But a lot was leadership, how to be a leader in that clubhouse in your own way. You have your [Bryce] Harpers we have your [Manny] Machados, [Aaron] Judge, Max Scherzer, they lead the clubhouse in different ways, but they’re always a leader. They taught me how to do it in my own way. Not only that, but through the game and how you handle yourself on and off the field, there are so many things those guys were able to teach me and show me how to handle myself. I can’t be more thankful for those guys.”
