The New York Mets (29-20) are struggling, and their $765 million man isn’t helping. Five-time Silver Slugger Juan Soto, who sports a career slash line of .283/.419/.528, is slashing just .247/.379/.437 with eight homers and 20 RBI through 48 games this season.
The 26-year-old is 2-for-11 with one walk and one stolen base across the Mets’ current three-game losing streak. He also hasn’t had a multi-hit game since May 9 and hasn’t had a three-hit game all season.
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With New York now 1.5 games behind the Philadelphia Phillies for first place in the NL East, it needs its prized offseason acquisition to perform to his potential.
Mets Hall of Famer Mike Piazza offered advice to Soto on Wednesday, via The New York Post’s Joel Sherman (paywall).
New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto (22).John Jones-Imagn Images
“Obviously, the expectations are high for him, and coming from the [New York] Yankees makes it all the bigger story, I get it,” the club legend said. “But this is just part of playing in New York. You have to get through it. You have to rely on your teammates to have your back.”
“Body language is important. They are watching everything you are doing,” he continued. “Frustration is part of the game. I lived it. He didn’t forget how to hit the baseball. The game is tough and his spotlight is really bright now.”
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“My advice to him would be just relax, make it a team thing, not about you,” he added. “I just followed the advice that Roy Campanella told me when I was a rookie — just play the game hard, let everything else take care of itself.”
The Mets will play one more game against the Boston Red Sox (25-25) on Wednesday night before hosting the Los Angeles Dodgers (30-19) over the weekend.
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