The New York Mets star Juan Soto is not having the perfect star in 2025. After signing the largest contract in sports history, Soto’s performance has dipped. Part of his struggles are caused by Yankees captain Aaron Judge.
Soto was hitting ahead of Aaron Judge with the Yankees, and that helped him stay competitive. The slugger’s remarks are already raising a few eyebrows. Soto revealed that he had the best hitter in baseball hitting behind him as he referred to Aaron Judge. It’s worth noting that he was clear when it said, “The best hitter” and not one of the best hitters for Judge.
Before facing the Minnesota Twins, the Mets star opened up about how things have changed without Aaron Judge hitting behind him.
“It’s definitely different. I had the best hitter in baseball hitting behind me. I was getting more attacked and more pitches in the strike zone, less intentional walks and things like that. Was pitched differently last year,” Juan Soto said via the New York Post.
Juan Soto opens up to The Post about pitchers’ new approach without ‘the best hitter in baseball’ behind him https://t.co/BM47r99NWb pic.twitter.com/s0975ZQzeH
— New York Post Sports (@nypostsports) April 14, 2025
Things are different for Soto without Judge’s protection in the lineup. However, it’s probably not the right time to say it, especially with Pete Alonso doing his best to protect Soto.
Juan Soto’s Comment Downplays Pete Alonso’s Lineup Protection
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It’s safe to say that Pete Alonso is having a better season than Soto. If there is one player on the Mets lineup who’s doing a fantastic job, it has to be Alonso. The Mets are making use of every penny after extending the All-Star slugger.
Alonso’s numbers are higher than Soto’s, and he has done a great job protecting him. While Alonso and Judge cannot be compared, Soto’s comment probably didn’t sit well as it downplays Alonso’s effort.
The “Polar Bear” has four home runs already and is slashing .345 /.464/1.137, whereas Juan Soto has two home runs and is slashing .250/.400/.829. Soto and Judge had great chemistry, but it’s in the past, and Alonso is his new companion.
Aaron Judge might have been the best protection, but Alonso’s hard work is clearly visible, which Soto seemed to have put down. The Mets are at the top of their division and are ranked at No. 5 in the Week 3 MLB power rankings.
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