Former coach delves into Juan Soto true ‘identity,’ argues against tinkering

Statistical achievements of Juan Soto are undeniable. At just 24 years old, he boasts 160 home runs, ranking ninth among all players at that age, tying him with the legendary Albert Pujols. Even more impressive, his on-base percentage of .421 is the highest for any player with at least 2,000 plate appearances since World War II, surpassing icons like Pujols, Mickey Mantle, and Mike Trout.

These numbers are certainly eye-catching, but they only paint part of the picture. To truly understand Juan Soto’s prowess, Yankees fans need to delve deeper. Mike Shildt, who transitioned from serving as a Padres coach to becoming the manager, expressed his admiration for Juan Soto’s approach on the field. He noted that Juan Soto never wasted an at-bat, a trait he found impressive. Drawing from his experience with high-level players such as Albert and Goldie (referring to Albert Pujols and Paul Goldschmidt), Shildt highlighted the slugger’s similarity to them in valuing each at-bat regardless of the situation.

When asked about the negative side, the ex-coach of Juan Soto delves into his former pupil’s hardwiring and bats down calls for any alteration.

Juan Soto’s plate discipline a big asset for Yankees’ title aspirations

In a major shake-up for both teams, Juan Soto’s journey took another turn on August 2nd, 2022, when he was traded from the Washington Nationals to the San Diego Padres. However, his time there was short-lived. By December 7th, the Padres, aiming to optimize their payroll and build team depth, orchestrated another significant deal.

They traded away both Juan Soto and fellow outfielder Trent Grisham to the New York Yankees in exchange for a package of five players, primarily consisting of young, promising pitchers. The Yankees, on the other hand, sought to address their offensive struggles by acquiring the left-handed hitting Grisham, aiming to add balance and bolster their lineup.

Shildt praised Juan Soto’s durability and determination, noting that he appeared in every game throughout the season. Even on days when the slugger didn’t feel his best, he resisted any attempts by the manager, Bob Melvin, to remove him from the lineup. Shildt highlighted the remarkable consistency and resilience Juan Soto displayed, enduring the daily challenges of a grueling baseball season without ever relenting in his effort during at-bats. He regarded this level of commitment as highly impressive.

Padres starter Joe Musgrove emphasized that Juan Soto’s success begins with his plate discipline. According to Musgrove, hitters who exhibit strong control of the strike zone present the greatest challenge for pitchers. From a pitcher’s perspective, the goal is to minimize the number of strikes thrown to secure outs, and hitters who chase pitches outside the zone are easier to retire.

Musgrove praised Juan Soto for his adeptness at working counts and his fearlessness in battling back from unfavorable situations, even when facing a deficit in the count. He noted the slugger’s ability to turn around numerous 0-2 counts during the previous season, transforming himself into a significant offensive threat. Musgrove remarked that it often feels like Soto enters each game with a strategic plan aimed at drawing walks and producing multiple hits against opposing pitchers.

Juan Soto dominated the league in his ability to draw walks even when down in the count. Among all MLB players last season, he led the pack with 11 walks after falling behind 0-2. However, in terms of walk percentage from that precarious count, another player edged him out. Minnesota’s Edoaurd Julien boasted a slightly higher rate at 10.8%, compared to Soto’s impressive 9.2%. This stat highlights Juan Soto’s incredible discipline and plate awareness, even when seemingly outmatched by the count.

Padres GM A.J. Preller praised Juan Soto’s approach at the plate, describing every at-bat as a fierce contest. He emphasized that Soto maintains a high level of intensity regardless of the game situation, whether it’s early innings or late in the game with a significant lead. Preller highlighted Juan Soto’s consistent dedication throughout the long baseball season, with each of his approximately 600 at-bats treated as crucial moments akin to Game 7 of the World Series. He regarded this mindset as a remarkable quality and anticipated that the Yankees would benefit from Juan Soto’s unwavering focus and competitive spirit, serving as an inspiration for his teammates.

AJ Preller emphasizes the importance of playing all 162 games of the regular season, and Juan Soto’s remarkable durability reflects this philosophy. Throughout his career since 2018, he’s only landed on the Injured List once, missing two weeks in 2021 due to a shoulder sprain. This impressive consistency is evident in his participation in 778 games, which ranks him seventh in the league during that timeframe. His dedication to staying healthy is further highlighted by being one of only four players to suit up for all 162 games last season. Juan Soto’s commitment to playing every game aligns perfectly with Preller’s vision for the Padres, making him a valuable asset for the team.

Ex-coach defends Juan Soto against criticism, rules out need for change

According to Fangraphs, Juan Soto ranked seventh-lowest among outfielders in defensive performance last year and was the 18th lowest-rated base runner.

Questions linger around Juan Soto’s plate approach, reminiscent of Joey Votto‘s style. Some wonder if his focus on long counts and walks, even in crucial RBI situations, is too passive. While his numbers with runners in scoring position are undeniable (.299 batting average, 1.016 OPS), he led the MLB in strikeouts looking (51), followed closely by teammate Trent Grisham (50). Manager Mike Shildt, however, defends this approach as “part of Juan’s identity” and cautions against changing his winning formula.

Preller emphasized Juan Soto’s offensive prowess as his standout attribute, acknowledging that this is his primary contribution to the team. Despite being primarily an offensive player, he demonstrated versatility by playing both right field in 2022 and left field in 2023. Preller noted the slugger’s dedication to improving his defensive skills, describing him as attentive to detail and committed to his craft. While not exceptional defensively, Juan Soto is regarded as competent in the outfield and is expected to continue developing in this aspect due to his conscientious attitude and commitment to improvement.

However, the Padres’ disappointing 2023 season (82-80, missing the playoffs) raises concerns. A September article in The Athletic highlighted a pervasive negativity within the team, discussed throughout the baseball community. While Juan Soto wasn’t directly named, whispers suggested he remained somewhat isolated and didn’t actively contribute to improving team dynamics. This raises questions about how effectively his playing style integrates with team chemistry and overall success.

Preller commented that Juan Soto has a history of success in his career, notably winning a World Series in 2019 and contributing to the team’s advancement to the LCS in 2022. He expressed the belief that the slugger prioritizes fitting in with any team he joins, driven by his commitment to excellence and his serious demeanor. Preller suggested that Juan Soto thrives in environments where there is a strong collective desire to win, and he anticipates Soto’s success in such environments due to his dedication and seriousness about the game.

What do you think? Leave your comment below.