We are running out of adjectives to describe San Diego Padres star Juan Soto and his patience at the plate.
Immaculate, impressive, notable, jaw-dropping… you name it, and it fits.
The man is not even 25 and keeps accumulating walks: he has 98 for the season against just 95 strikeouts.
He is already the owner of a cool record and keeps increasing the gap between him and the competition, which in this case are some of the best players ever to step on a field.
“Most MLB walks before their 25th birthday: Juan Soto, 606 (725 games); Mel Ott, 541 (983 games); Mickey Mantle, 522 (808 games); Ted Williams, 493 (586 games); Eddie Yost, 491 (708 games); Juan Soto won’t turn 25 until October 25,” Codify Baseball tweeted.
Most MLB walks before their 25th birthday:
Juan Soto, 606 (725 games)
Mel Ott, 541 (983 games)
Mickey Mantle, 522 (808 games)
Ted Williams, 493 (586 games)
Eddie Yost, 491 (708 games)Juan Soto won’t turn 25 until October 25. 😮 pic.twitter.com/pvRekBj0c8
— Codify (@CodifyBaseball) August 2, 2023
The coolest thing of all is that he will have what is left of the 2023 regular season to keep increasing his tally, as he will turn 25 during the playoffs.
An important part of hitting (perhaps the most important, in fact) is discerning balls from strikes, and Soto is the best in MLB at that.
Taking advantage of good pitches to hit and laying off the bad ones might sound basic, but it’s extremely difficult.
Pitchers routinely throw 100 mph, or amazing, knee-buckling curveballs, filthy sliders, and impressive changeups.
Hitting is among the hardest things to do in professional sports.
Soto makes it look easy.
It’s not just about his eye: it’s also being a dangerous hitter so pitchers don’t just decide to challenge you with pitches in the zone.
It’s skill, plus the respect of hurlers.
Soto, of course, has both.
This year, he is hitting an impressive .275/.424/.520 with 22 home runs and a .944 OPS.
If the Padres manage to make the playoffs, it will likely be thanks to him.
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MLB Insider Highlights The Padres’ Lack Of Clutch Play In 2023