Juan Soto has demonstrated the kind of elite performance the New York Mets envisioned when they signed him to a 15-year, $765 million contract before the 2025 season. Although his start was rocky, with a noticeable slump during the first two months, Soto’s recent surge has firmly established him as a vital contributor to the Mets’ lineup, validating the team‘s investment in him.

In the early part of the season, critics were quick to scrutinize Soto’s underwhelming output, sparking rumors about his mindset and loyalty. The New York Yankees’ announcer Michael Kay was particularly vocal, suggesting that Soto was unhappy with the Mets and might have only joined them to satisfy family wishes. Kay also criticized Soto for supposedly struggling to adjust to no longer hitting behind Aaron Judge. Despite pushback from Mets fans defending Soto, these negative narratives persisted until recent weeks.

Late Season Surge Places Soto Among Baseball’s Best

Whatever the problems that affected Juan Soto in April and May, they seem to have been overcome. Between May 30 and June 25, Soto posted remarkable statistics, batting .333 with an on-base percentage of .486 and slugging .774. During this span, he hit 11 home runs, drove in 20 runs, walked 24 times, and scored 24 runs himself. This remarkable stretch helped him join Darryl Strawberry as only the second Met to hit double-digit home runs while drawing 20 or more walks in a single calendar month.

In addition, Soto set a new Major League Baseball record for the most multi-homer games before the age of 27, hitting 27 such games in his career. This accomplishment underscores his exceptional talent and historic trajectory as a hitter in the league.

Ken Rosenthal Challenges Negative Narratives About Soto’s Mental State

The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal addressed the wave of criticism that had surrounded Juan Soto earlier in the season, particularly taking aim at unnamed commentators who implied the slugger was struggling psychologically and that his tenure with the Mets was doomed. Rosenthal pushed back strongly against these claims during a recent episode of Foul Territory, asserting that if Soto were truly as troubled as some suggested, his current performance would not be possible.

“If he was really that depressed, I don’t think he’d be playing the way he is now.” —Ken Rosenthal, Baseball Analyst

Rosenthal emphasized that even at his lowest point, Soto’s play wasn’t as poor as many claimed and that the persistent rumors about his desire to return to the Yankees or about his unhappiness were overblown. According to Rosenthal, Soto is now demonstrating the talent and consistency the Mets hoped for when they signed him, despite the team’s other struggles, particularly with pitching.

“It’s so interesting to me, even when he was struggling, he wasn’t that bad,”

“He’s playing at an extremely high level. There’s some numbers that will show you that. Home runs in June. He’s right there with Cal Raleigh and Eugenio Suarez. He’s been everything the Mets could have hoped for.”

—Ken Rosenthal, Baseball Analyst

Rosenthal also pointed out that Soto’s contributions go beyond batting power, noting his stolen bases and other dynamic plays that highlight his all-around ability.

“And if he’s so miserable, boy, he plays out pretty well when he’s pretty down and out.”

—Ken Rosenthal, Baseball Analyst

Context and Outlook for Soto’s Continued Impact with the Mets

The intense scrutiny and skepticism about Juan Soto’s early season slump now appear to have been premature. The overzealous finger-pointing and off-base critiques, especially from those with ties to the Yankees such as Michael Kay, underscore a biased perspective that did not fully account for Soto’s potential to rebound.

With Soto firmly back on track, the Mets can look forward to him continuing to deliver at a high level. His recent record-setting achievements and revitalized production will be essential for the team’s playoff ambitions, even as challenges remain on the pitching front. As Soto continues to build on his impressive statistics, expectations will rise for him to shape the Mets’ success throughout the remainder of the season.