The New York Yankees traded for Juan Soto last December because of his power hitting. They witnessed his arsenal first-hand during his 2024 Spring Training debut against the Toronto Blue Jays.
With two men on base at the bottom of the fourth inning, Soto sent a Trevor Richards pitch over the fence. That hit on his Spring Training debut with the Yankees extended their lead 7-1. It was Soto’s only hit during the game, leading to three RBIs.
Juan Soto homers off the scoreboard in his Yankees spring training debut @BRWalkoff
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 25, 2024
(via @Yankees)pic.twitter.com/jpXm7QrjSC
Soto has four Silver Slugger Awards in eight Major League Baseball seasons. In 2021, he was the National League Most Valuable Player runner-up behind Bryce Harper after hitting .313/.465/.534. He also has three consecutive All-Star appearances from 2021 to 2023.
After five seasons with the Washington Nationals, Soto transferred to the San Diego Padres via a trade. He and Josh Bell joined the Padres while CJ Abrams, Robert Hassell, Jarlin Susana, Mackenzie Gore, James Wood, and Luke Voit went to the 2019 World Series champions.
However, he lasted only two seasons with the Padres as the Yankees dealt for him and Trent Grisham in exchange for Drew Thorpe, Randy Vasquez, Michael King, Jhony Brito, and Kyle Higashioka.
After six MLB seasons, Juan Soto is batting .284/.421/.524 with 768 hits, 483 RBIs, and 160 home runs in 2,704 at-bats. He is projected to be the Yankees’ starting right fielder, covering the outfield with Aaron Judge and Alex Verdugo.
-Lance Fernandez