The successful Dominican gardener Juan Soto has started his adventure with the Mets outstandingly by hitting a home run in his first at-bat as a member of the New York team during the spring training of Major League Baseball.
Soto made his debut with the Mets in his first preseason game against a split squad of the Houston Astros. In his first at-bat in the first inning, the young player hit a solid home run on a pitch from lefty Colton Gordon, sending the ball beyond the wall between center and left field at Clover Park, in Port St. Lucie, Florida, the Mets' spring training facility.
Soto's home run, which according to MLB data traveled 462 feet at a speed of 106.2 mph, temporarily put the Mets ahead 1-0 against the Astros. Later, in his second at-bat in the second inning, Soto grounded out to second base, allowing José Azocar, driven in by the Dominican, to score.
As for his position in the batting order, "La Fiera," as Soto is known, was placed in the second spot, behind Puerto Rican Francisco Lindor, by the decision of the Mets manager, Venezuelan Carlos Mendoza. In the game, Soto was followed in the order by first baseman Pete Alonso.
After playing three innings in right field, Soto was substituted by his compatriot Alex Ramírez, another Dominican outfielder who is also trying out during the preseason with the Mets. In addition to Soto, the right-handed pitcher Clay Holmes also made his debut with the Mets this preseason, pitching three innings without allowing hits, walks, or runs, striking out three batters along the way.
The Mets, who reached the National League Championship Series last season, have high expectations for Soto, who played in the previous World Series with the Yankees, to contribute to their aspirations of winning the Major League Championship.
