Soto shows no signs of slowing down
After his impressive rookie season, slugger raises hopes for an encore
Jamal Collier
@JamalCollierWEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Juan Soto broke down his Spring Training preparation into three parts.
First, he wants to get his timing down. Then, he likes to see as many pitches as possible at the plate. Once he feels comfortable, he can unleash his full swing and start to drive the ball.
Well, it appears Soto is in that third phase of the spring. He has swatted home runs in three of his past four Grapefruit League games, including a two-run homer in the first inning of Sunday afternoon's 10-5 victory against the Mets. Soto added a pair of doubles Sunday and finished 3-for-4 -- and he thought he beat out the throw for an infield single when he was called out in the second inning.
"In my mind, it's 4-for-4," he said with a smile.
Like nearly everything from his rookie season in Washington, Soto is making his first entrance into the Grapefruit League look easy. He acknowledges Major League Spring Training has at least felt different, the clubhouse is different, how they practice, the schedule and games all feel different to him, but the results are the same.
Take a look at his slash line so far in what is still his first Major League Spring Training: .400/.488/.800 with three home runs and 1.288 OPS. He's played often -- 41 at-bats in 14 games -- and because he is still only 20 years old, he has joined the team on several long road trips this spring. Now, Spring Training numbers are certainly not predictive of the regular season, but Soto just keeps hitting everywhere he goes.
"He's a very mature 20-year-old," manager Dave Martinez said. "He has a routine. He sticks with it. He knows what he wants to do and he always has a game plan. He always has a plan every day and he works at it. I don't have to say much to him except: 'Remember who you are and just continue to work good at-bats and take your walks.' That's all I have to tell him: 'Take your walks.'"
It's an approach Martinez would be impressed with from any player, but especially one as young as Soto. Each time Martinez asks Soto his game plan for the day, his young left-fielder responds he wants to hit the ball up the middle. That starting point allows Soto to do so much more with the bat, and the Nationals to dream of just how good he can be in Year Two.
"I feel really comfortable at the plate," Soto said. "I'm seeing the ball really well, better than when I got here. I'm almost ready."