Last year, Aaron Judge and Juan Soto, two of Major League Baseball’s top outfielders, played together for the New York Yankees, each earning an All-Star selection. Judge claimed the American League MVP award, while Soto finished third in the voting, highlighting their impressive performances during the season.
The Yankees closed the 2024 regular season with a 94-68 record, the best in the AL and third-best across the majors. This strong finish propelled them to the World Series for the first time since 2009, though they fell to the Los Angeles Dodgers in five games.
Soto’s Move to the Mets Sets Stage for All-Star Rivalry
Following that season, Soto left the Yankees to join the New York Mets, marking the start of a new chapter as the two former teammates will now face off as All-Stars on opposing teams. Despite playing together for only one year, Soto clearly left a lasting impression on Judge and the Yankees clubhouse.
Judge expressed both admiration and goodwill toward Soto, emphasizing the impact the 26-year-old had on their team atmosphere.
“Juan was not only a great player but a great person in our clubhouse, a great guy… I know the Mets are loving him over there. We enjoyed our time with him with the Yankees. I wish him nothing but the best,”
Judge said.
Teams’ 2024 Performances and Playoff Prospects
This season, the Yankees hold a 53-43 record at the All-Star break, trailing the Toronto Blue Jays by just two games for the AL East division lead. Meanwhile, Soto’s Mets are closely trailing the Philadelphia Phillies by half a game in the NL East race. Both franchises have experienced fluctuations but continue to rank among the top contenders in their leagues.
With the season progressing toward the final stretch, the Yankees and Mets remain strong playoff candidates, building anticipation for potential postseason clashes. Their rivalry, intensified by the All-Star Game matchup between Judge and Soto, adds another layer of excitement to this year’s MLB campaign.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Why is Juan Soto so special?
A. Soto’s frequent solid hits help him get on base. His keen ability to judge pitches gives him many walks. Combining these, Soto deserves to reach base more than any other MLB player, whether considering his current status entering 2025 or his performance since he started in the majors at 19 years old in 2018.
Q. What is Juan Soto’s bat speed?
A. Ramos and Soto both experienced a decrease in their bat speed from over 75 mph to over 73 mph. Despite the reduction, their bat speed remains among the top 75 and significantly higher than the league average of 71.6 mph. Soto still maintains high-level bat speed even after the decline.
Q. Why do people think Juan Soto is so good?
A. He is known for hitting the ball in all directions, even with two strikes. By the end of the 2020 season, Soto had hit 69 home runs in his MLB career. He spread them equally: 23 to left field, 23 to center field, and 23 to right field.