Soto D

[Edgy MD]

Juan Soto has cast improving his defense to be a "cornerstone of my development in the coming years."

While it is hard to be too cynical about his goal, it gets harder to improve defense (particularly outfield defense) the further a career progresses. The nature of human limbs just works against you. In addition, there was certainly a period of the season where he just seemed detached on defense. And he would hardly be the first slugger who saw going out in the field with his glove as a necessary evil he endured until he could do his real talking with his bat.

He has a lot of things going for him, though. We certainly saw him pull off some excellent throws in 2025. His throwing game was undisciplined and erratic, but obviously there are some skills there.

He also has the same scientific mind that made him into the top hitter he is. Baseball history has more than a few guys who became stars with the bat first, and only later turned their defense into an asset as well — Wade Boggs, Tony Gwynn. Cal Ripken won his first Gold Glove at 30. (Though GGs at the time were given out in a pretty political manner.)

Who would have thought he would suddenly steal 38 bags in 2025?

Other upside:

• He will probably move to left if the Mets get Kyle Tucker, or some other more authentic rightfielder.
• His legs are, so far, pretty healthy.


• He was at the bottom of the barrel in 2025 outfield defense — according to pretty much all measures — and moving up toward the mean is a lot easier than moving up beyond the mean.

 

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[Centerfield]

I feel like his struggles in the field come from him just not being great at reading fly balls. The routine ones are fine. But the tougher ones (harder hit, with spin) just befuddle him.

I don’t know how he gets better at it. In my experience, either guys have that spatial ability or they don’t.

[smg58]

I wonder if he might be better suited to first base. He does throw lefthanded, and I don't think reflexes are his problem.

[Edgy MD]

Maybe, but we are most of us better suited to first base, and only one guy can play there, so it behooves him to get whatever outfielding he can out of his body while he can.

[Centerfield]

There was an interview that he did in Spanish this winter, where he was asked about first base. If my memory is right, he says something along the lines of yes, he knows First Base is in his future, but for now he's focused on being the best outfielder he can be.

I agree that he will likely be a good first baseman. He moves well, has a good arm, obviously very coordinated. We won't know how good he is at split-second decisions, making throws on the run, making throws to guys on the run, until he has to try. But I think there's reason to be hopeful.

Like I said, I really think his struggles in the field come down to him not being able to read non-routine balls off the bat well. And that's not a factor at 1B.

[Lefty Specialist]

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