Juan Soto came to Queens with enormous expectations. The New York Mets offered him the baseball’s most extensive contract ever: $765 million over 15 years. Naturally, fans fantasized about instant dominance from the generational hitting star. But New York’s lights are very bright. Every swing, every play gets scrutinized under a powerful microscope. Early whispers suggest the pressure might already be showing for the Mets’ prized acquisition.
Through the first few games of the 2025 season, Soto displayed flashes of his elite skill set. As of April 11, he had a .279 batting average. His on-base percentage was solid .404, thanks to drawing 10 walks. But his power statistics were modest for a player of his caliber. With only one home run and four RBIs, some began to question whether he was meeting the high expectations set for him.
Such early returns drew pointed commentary from local sports media. Sal Licata, a host on WFAN and SNY, expressed a common concern. He suggested, “Juan Soto might in fact be pressing. Maybe he’s feeling the pressure a little bit… but this is nowhere near the player the Mets signed Juan Soto to be.” He further added, “If he doesn’t have 35 [HR], 100 [RBI], an average of .275 minimum…and an OPS over .950, it would be a terribly disappointing season”. This concerning statement spread like wildfire among the observers tracking Soto’s every move.
Sal isn’t concerned about it yet, but he sees Juan Soto “pressing” to prove himself so far.
Listen to today’s show open: https://t.co/Roqx22Bs7D pic.twitter.com/1anxQhMZQ0
— WFAN Sports Radio (@WFAN660) April 11, 2025
Why such a strong statement so early? Licata’s assumption is probably based on Soto’s current performance versus his past achievements. This is a player who bashed 41 home runs in 2024. Normally, his career on-base plus slugging (OPS) is well above .950, placing him among the elite hitters. With only one homer and an .846 OPS early on felt jarring to some. An early-season OPS of .846 and just one home run seemed out of character, prompting concerns about his adaptation to the Mets.
Juan Soto faces early scrutiny amidst Mets’ strong start
Despite the Mets’ impressive 8-4 start, tying for first in the NL East, Soto’s performance remains under the microscope. The team’s success, highlighted by a league-leading 2.10 ERA and Pete Alonso’s 3 home runs and 15 RBIs, contrasts with Soto’s quieter contributions, intensifying the spotlight on him.
But it’s not just speculation and expected disappointment. Particular moments crystallized these worries amid the pressure. On Opening Day, Soto came to bat in the ninth inning. The Mets were down two runs to Houston with runners on base. Facing closer Josh Hader, Soto struck out, ending the game. Critics pointed to this failure in a pressure spot as a sign that he was feeling the weight of expectations, in contrast to his past playoff heroics.
Another area that was under scrutiny was run production in key situations. In an early-April series against Toronto, Soto was 2-for-9 with no RBIs. In one crucial spot with runners on, he grounded out. Others pointed out a defensive misplay against Miami. These cases, while isolated, helped to stoke the fires for those pointing out that Soto wasn’t producing the expected all-around impact immediately.
And how does Soto feel right now? Soto himself projects confidence despite the outside noise. Pressed straight up about pressure after he hit his first Mets homer in late March, he firmly replied, “No.” Earlier in the spring training schedule, he had said his focus was simply on “Winning games… gotta go out there and get the job done.” Manager Carlos Mendoza said that while struggles are a part of being a human, but praised Soto’s humble attitude, expressing belief in his ability to handle the pressure.
Meanwhile, across town, another slugger offered a stark contrast. Yankees star and previous teammate Aaron Judge started the season on an incredibly hot streak. Judge hit six homers and collected 15 RBIs in only seven games. That explosion of power made Soto’s quieter start much more noticeable. The comparison, fair or not, certainly added to the scrutiny that Soto has faced from fans and media following both teams so closely.
Interestingly, despite the focus on Soto’s start, the Mets began the 2025 season strongly. But the question is: Can Soto’s elite on-base skills soon translate into the massive run production everyone expects as this promising Mets season unfolds?
The post “Nowhere Near the Player the Mets Signed” — Alarming Juan Soto Claim Sparks Concern He’s Cracking Under Pressure appeared first on EssentiallySports.
