Not bad for a “down year.”
Juan Soto just joined Barry Bonds in some pretty exclusive company, and it’s a reminder that maybe we’ve been too quick to write off his first season with the New York Mets.
Before Saturday, Bonds was the only player in MLB history to post at least 40 homers, 35 steals and 110 walks in a single season. He pulled it off twice – in 1996 and 1997.
Now Soto’s in that club too.
MLB Network’s Sarah Langs shared the milestone on X after Soto swiped his 35th bag on Saturday. That stolen base was the key to unlocking this piece of history.
The steals are what make this so remarkable. Before this season, Soto’s career-high for stolen bases was 12. He’s nearly tripled that number.
The other numbers? Well, they’re pretty absurd too. His 42 homers represent a new career-high, and he’s on pace to lead the league in walks for a fourth time.
So yeah, maybe it’s time to reconsider what we thought about Soto’s season. There’s been chatter all year that this wasn’t the usual Juan Soto we’ve come to expect.
Turns out he was just getting started.
The Mets have needed every bit of this production as they try to hang onto that final wild card spot. With Soto playing like this, they’ve got a real shot at not just making the playoffs but making some noise once they get there.
Not bad for a down year, indeed.
