Jose Reyes has defended Juan Soto, insisting the Mets star is still producing in his debut season.
The former Mets shortstop told TMZ Sports that fans need to ease off the criticism.
He pointed out that Soto remains one of baseball’s elite hitters despite the weight of his record-breaking $765 million contract. Reyes reminded everyone that a player cannot launch a home run every time he steps to the plate.
“He got like what 28 homers, he’s hitting .250 something, you know people expect him to do a little bit better,” Reyes said.
“But for his first year, I think he do good. If you put his number where he ranks with let’s say the top 20 Major League players right now, he’s there. I think he’s going to end with more than 35 homers.”
Soto’s year has included steady production, even if some stretches fell below his career standards. He hit his first homer as a Met back in March against Houston.
In June he notched his 1,000th career hit against the Braves, then blasted 11 home runs to earn National League Player of the Month. That same month he became the youngest player to record 1,000 hits, 200 homers, and 800 walks.
Still, the Mets as a team have stumbled since the All-Star break. Reyes, who played 12 seasons in Queens, pointed to issues with runners in scoring position and a decline in starting pitching.
“They’ve been one of the worst teams in the Major League with runners in scoring position,” he said. “That needs to change. Beginning of the season, the pitching was good. Now, not so much.”
Advanced metrics suggest Soto’s performance is stronger than some critics believe. Baseball Savant data shows his contact quality and plate discipline remain consistent with his career norms, while TSN pointed to recent series against the Rockies and Giants as evidence that he is regaining form at the plate.
For Mets fans, patience is required. The slugger’s 15-year deal was always designed as a long play. The numbers already show why the franchise made such an investment.
As Jose Reyes put it, Soto is still one of the game’s best and should finish with 35 or more home runs. With October approaching, the Mets will need him firing on all cylinders to keep their postseason hopes alive.
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