Homers In Every Ball Park Before Turning 26, 200 Career Bombs, and a Career High 40 Dingers This Year? The Generational Juan Soto Continues To Be A Godsend In New York
So many times I've seen a guy come over to the Yankees, set one being an answer to their problems, only to crumble under the bright lights. Acquiring a guy solely based off his boxscore does not necessarily mean that production will translate in New York —see Joey Gallo, Frankie Montas, and Sonny Gray. It takes a special kind of mentality to handle the city and the expectations that fans have put on this team. Overreaction and hyperbole run rampant throughout the fanbase because of the desperation that's transpired with the drought since 2009.
Juan Soto doesn't care about anyone of that. He's immune. Instead of letting big moments get to him, he welcomes them. That dude wakes up everyday hoping the game comes down to him. Haven't seen a guy with that mentality since number 2 hung em' up. It's beautiful.
To begin the season Juan Soto set out a bunch of goals, one of them to cross off the remaining ballparks he hadn't homered in yet. Last night not only did he achieve that goal, but he blasted his career high 40th homer of the year and 200th of his career. He's 25 years old. Special doesn't come close to defining this stallion.
Inside out swing off a top tier pitching sending a ball 410 feet to left center. The man is a sicko. If not for Judge, Soto would have himself a good argument to be the AL MVP. Having Judge hitting behind him has done wonders for the 25 year old. He's never had protection like this in a lineup. Soto was the perfect add in the offseason to give this team a shot in the arm. Not only has he been a positive, he's been a revelation. It takes more than one guy to change a baseball lineup, but he's doing his best to be the cure. On top of that he seems to be a great teammate and very hard worker who just goes about his business. He's honestly the perfect Yankee. All of this happening in a contract year which will end with him getting paid $600M plus and hopefully a ring as well. I don't even have a take for this blog, I'm just amazed at how good this dude is at baseball. 200 homers in the bank before he turns 26. If he signs a 15 year deal with the Yankees then 700 can happen with good health.
We're watching one of the greatest hitters ever and then Aaron Judge hits after him. The lineup at the moment is as good as it can be. They faced a very good Bryan Woo last night and chased him for seven runs and nine hits in less than five innings. Finally they've taken advantage of Baltimore's nose dive and extended their AL East lead to 4 games. Their magic number for a postseason spot is one while the division is eight. The bullpen has come together of late and the SP I think is good enough to get it done. It's September 18th and I'm believing. Juan Soto is a big part of that and I hope he never leaves my life.