Cody Bellinger didn’t mince words when asked about his former teammate. On Monday, the Yankees outfielder called Juan Soto the “best bat in the game.” That’s a hell of a compliment coming from a guy who won an MVP himself.
Soto is now in his second season with the Mets, and he’s already made his first All-Star appearance with the team. That makes four different franchises where Soto has been named an All-Star. The guy is 27 years old. He’s got six Silver Slugger awards, four All-MLB selections, and a World Series ring from 2019 with the Nationals. The résumé speaks for itself.
The numbers back it up
Soto has missed some time this season with an injury. In 78 games, the lefty is hitting .290 with 21 home runs and 51 RBIs. He’s walked 55 times and his OPS sits at .967, which is third in the league behind Yordan Alvarez, James Wood, and Ben Rice. Not bad company.
Bellinger, who joined Soto in the 2026 All-Star Game, put it simply: “Juan Soto: Best bat in the game. Consistent at-bat every single game. He’s so good, man.”
That’s the thing about Soto. He doesn’t have hot streaks and cold streaks the way most hitters do. He just shows up and grinds out at-bats. He sees pitches nobody else sees. He walks more than anyone in the game. His Soto Shuffle has become a signature move, but it’s not just for show. It works. Pitchers hate facing him because there’s no easy out.
A home run derby miss
It’s a bummer Soto isn’t participating in this year’s Home Run Derby. He won it back in 2022 before leaving the Nationals, just like Bryce Harper did. But injuries happen. The Mets are probably fine with him taking it easy.
One season with the Yankees was apparently enough to convince Bellinger. And honestly, it’s not hard to see why. Soto makes hitting look effortless. He’s a generational talent in a Mets uniform, and at 27, he’s got plenty of prime years ahead of him.
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