In a recent game at Citi Field, Carlos Mendoza, the manager of the New York Mets, expressed no concern regarding Juan Soto’s initial absence of home runs on their home turf. The star player for the Mets, signed for a staggering $765 million, demonstrated his capabilities by hitting his first two home runs at home during a game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, although the Mets ultimately fell short with a 4-2 loss.
Mendoza commented on Soto’s performance, saying, “It’s always good to see it. We knew he was close.” Previously, Soto had accumulated 12 home runs over 35 games as an opponent at Citi Field. However, his stats at home were lackluster with a batting average of .241 over 54 at-bats so far this season. Alongside his home runs, he also accounted for 10 walks, eight strikeouts, and four doubles. Interestingly, his first unofficial home run at Citi Field was a foul into the right-field seats against the Philadelphia Phillies on April 21, which was initially mistaken as fair by umpires during his home run trot before being corrected.
Reflecting on his batting strategy, Soto said, “Try not to expand or anything like that — try to see the ball well. If I’ve got to take my walk, I’ll take my walk. I’m not in a rush to hit a homer or to hit game-tying hits.” Despite a slow start in the Arizona series with three walks over the first 11 plate appearances, Soto consistently hit the ball with power, with five out of the first eight balls he put into play reaching an exit velocity of 101 mph or higher, with another narrowly missing the benchmark at 98.9 mph.
In Thursday’s showdown, Soto’s two home runs were exceptional feats. The sixth-inning homer off Zac Gallen and the eighth-inning shot off Kevin Ginkel were hit at velocities slightly lower than his 110.1 mph groundout earlier that game. Mendoza praised Soto, remarking on his transition from ground balls to lofted hits into left-center, recognizing him as a formidable hitter.
Historically, only Bobby Bonilla in 1992 took longer than Soto among the Mets’ major acquisitions over the past three decades to score his first homer at home — with Bonilla waiting 22 games. Comparatively, Carlos Beltran achieved his home run in his 13th home game in 2005, with Francisco Lindor following suit in his 11th home game in 2021.
In response to the expectations and comparisons, Soto remarked, “I don’t have any pressure. These guys and Mendoza have been really clear with me, to make me feel comfortable going out there and playing. I don’t have any pressure at all. It’s just two homers that weren’t enough to get the win.” Despite the loss, Soto’s newfound momentum hints at promising performances in his upcoming home games.