Derek Jeter urges Yankees to sign Juan Soto to lift their offensive power

Wednesday July 12, 2023

Yankees legend Derek Jeter has urged the Yankees to pursue a trade for San Diego outfielder Juan Soto. The former shortstop believes the three-time All-Star and 2019 World Series champion is capable of solving the Yankees’ offensive problems.

Derek Jeter made this suggestion during the highly anticipated 2023 MLB All-Star game. The Yankees icon donning the role of a broadcaster asked his former team to consider signing Juan Soto. He expressed his enthusiasm for the possibility of his former team pursuing the talented San Diego Padres star.

According to Derek Jeter, the Yankees’ offense has been lacking after Captain Aaron Judge’s uncertain injury timeline and Juan Soto’s exceptional batting skills would be the ideal solution to rejuvenate their performance this season.

“If they don’t have a good next couple of weeks, I wouldn’t mind seeing the Yankees go out and get Juan Soto,” he told.

Who is Juan Soto?

In 2018, Juan Soto burst onto the baseball scene as one of the most highly regarded prospects in the minor leagues. Starting his season with the Hagerstown Suns, he showcased his talent by hitting an impressive .373 with five home runs and 24 RBIs in just 16 games. This outstanding performance caught the attention of the Washington Nationals, who called him up to the major leagues on May 20, 2018, to reinforce their outfield.

Juan Soto’s rookie season proved to be historic, culminating in a triumphant World Series victory in 2019. He achieved an impressive batting line of .292/.406/.517, with 79 walks (ranking 10th in the NL), 22 home runs, and 70 RBIs in 414 at-bats in 2018. The following year, the outfielder continued to excel, posting a batting line of .282/.401/.548 with notable accomplishments such as 110 runs (ranking 7th), 108 walks (ranking 3rd), 34 home runs, and 110 RBIs (ranking 9th). He also showcased his versatility by stealing 12 bases in 13 attempts.

During the NLDS, Juan Soto made a significant impact by hitting his first career postseason home run in Game 3. In the decisive Game 5, he delivered a crucial RBI single in the 6th inning, contributing to the Nationals’ victory.

Juan Soto’s remarkable performance continued in the 2019 World Series, where his stellar batting line of .333/.438/.741, accompanied by three home runs and seven RBIs, played a pivotal role in Washington’s ultimate triumph. Notably, he hit a home run against Astros’ ace Gerrit Cole in both Game 1 and Game 5, as well as a homer off Justin Verlander in the decisive Game 7. Juan Soto’s exceptional contributions led the Nationals in multiple categories, including home runs, hits, walks, and runs scored.

Recognizing his exceptional performance, Juan Soto was honored as the co-winner (alongside Stephen Strasburg) of the prestigious 2019 Babe Ruth Award, solidifying his status as an emerging star in the world of baseball.

In 2022, a significant trade sent Juan Soto to the San Diego Padres, where he embarked on a new chapter in his baseball career. Ahead of the 2023 season, he secured a one-year contract. Over the past three years, his exceptional performance earned him All-Star recognition, establishing himself as one of the league’s premier hitters.

Juan Soto is hitting .265/.419/.479 with 15 homers and 57 RBIs in 309 at-bats this season. Derek Jeter believes he can help the Yankees‘ offense get its prowess back.

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