David Cone, former pitcher for the Yankees and Mets and current analyst for ESPN and YES Network, recently addressed the ongoing challenges faced by Juan Soto, pointing to lost confidence as a core issue behind the outfielder’s decline. Soto’s struggles and confidence issues have become apparent amid his underwhelming performance through the first 53 games of the season with the New York Yankees.
David Cone Reflects on the Emotional Side of Hitting
Drawing on his own experiences under pressure in the Bronx, Cone related Soto’s difficulties to an insight shared by former Yankees manager Joe Torre. Despite the rise of analytics in baseball during the latter part of Torre’s career, the manager emphasized the importance of a player’s “heartbeat”—the emotional pulse that fuels self-belief at the plate. Cone identifies this “heartbeat” as the spirit behind Soto’s usually impressive confidence and instinct, which now appears absent.
It just reminds me of what my ex-manager Joe Torre used to talk about a lot,
Cone said.
He was around at the end of his career when analytics started making a big play. But he still wanted to talk about the heartbeat.
Soto’s Performance Declines as Pressure Mounts
After signing a landmark 15-year, $765 million contract, expectations for Soto have been exceptionally high. Yet his current stats—batting .233 with 8 home runs and 25 RBIs, alongside a .771 OPS—are below what many expected from the young slugger. His slugging percentage has dropped to a career-low .429, and his batting average against pitches exceeding 95 mph has fallen dramatically to .167, compared to last year’s .347.
The emotional toll of returning to the Bronx added to Soto’s struggles. Fans vehemently expressed their frustration for his decision to leave the Yankees for the Mets after just one season, subjecting him to relentless heckling during his first appearance back in New York. This hostile reception seemed to deepen the mental challenge Soto now faces.
Loss of Emotional Connection Affects Soto’s Confidence
Cone explained that Soto’s “heartbeat” is the emotional core driving his batting confidence; it generates the swagger and natural rhythm that define his play. The signature move known as the “Soto shuffle” has been notably missing, symbolizing the lack of that driving energy. This absence marks a stark contrast to the player’s usual presence in the batter’s box.
There’s no question about it. That’s what leads to confidence in the batter’s box. That’s just feeling it, and that’s clearly emotional,
Cone said.
I don’t know how you work through that. That’s something he’s going to have to figure out himself.
Support Systems in Place as Soto Works to Rebuild
Despite the slump, Cone assured that Soto is not without help, noting a strong support system around the player. However, until Soto regains that emotional connection, the swagger familiar to Yankees fans may remain elusive. The situation represents a pivotal moment for Soto as he strives to reconnect with the mental and emotional elements essential to his success at the plate.
He’s got a good support group around him that is going to give him everything he needs.
—David Cone, Analyst
Implications for Soto and the Yankees
Soto’s current slump places significant pressure on both himself and the Yankees organization, confronting the gap between high expectations and current results. With a major contract and a critical role in the outfield, Soto’s path forward depends on recovering his confidence and the “heartbeat” that drives his performance. How he manages these internal struggles will likely influence his future contributions to the team and their season’s trajectory.