ATLANTA -- What better way to embody a top-tier slugger than to wear a necklace representing one while you play?

And hit a home run.

Donning a chain with a replica of his infamous Soto Shuffle dangling from it, Juan Soto belted his 16th homer of the season on Friday night at Truist Park in the Nationals¡¯ 12-2 loss to the Braves. The necklace, created by Icebox jewelers, is a diamond silhouette with intricate gold accents, including his shin guard.

¡°It was really nice,¡± Soto said. ¡°I was keeping it inside, but [Ehire] Adrianza told me to pull it out and let people see what I like.¡±

A bejeweled Soto delivered a two-run shot to center field off starter Charlie Morton in the third inning that traveled a Statcast-projected 418 feet at 106.6 mph. He added it to his collection of 10 dingers at Truist Park, tied with Citi Field for second-most at an opposing ballpark. He's hit 12 in Philadelphia.

¡°I think the ball flies pretty well,¡± Soto said. ¡°I¡¯m not looking for homers here -- I just try to make good contact and see how far it can land.¡±

Soto went 2-for-3 with one run, two RBIs and a walk on the night. He has reached base safely in 18 consecutive games, dating back to June 17.

¡°Juan¡¯s starting to swing the bat,¡± manager Dave Martinez said. ¡°He hit a home run to center field, got a base hit to left field, so that¡¯s the Soto that we know. That¡¯s great. Hopefully, he continues to keep it going and some of his teammates could join him and we start scoring some runs.¡±

After hitting .195 in June, Soto is slashing .471/.625/.882 with a 1.507 OPS in seven games in July as he makes a push to earn his second straight All-Star selection. Last season, he also competed in the T-Mobile Home Run Derby.

¡°Everybody wants to see the results of the work that you¡¯ve been doing, day by day,¡± Soto said. ¡°I think it¡¯s coming out right now. I feel pretty good at the plate, at the dish, and I¡¯m seeing the ball well. Even the pitchers know it.¡±

Over his five-year career, Soto has proven what pitchers can expect when they see the Soto Shuffle at the plate. The at-bat approach, which began in the Minor Leagues as a way to zone in and stay focused, is one of the more recognizable in the game. Some fans want to see it in action, others want to replicate it.

At a recent community event, Soto was asked by a youth baseball player to demonstrate the Soto Shuffle. The 23-year-old put on a clinic.

Soto even shuffled atop the Nationals' dugout during the 2020 season.

And could there be a future generation of the shuffle? Soto¡¯s younger brother, Elian, portrayed the move before going yard at Nationals Winterfest 2020.

Soto¡¯s new trademark diamond necklace stands out on the field, just like his performance did on Friday.

¡°It¡¯s pretty cool. I wouldn¡¯t wear it,¡± Martinez said with a laugh. ¡°But it¡¯s pretty cool.¡±