The sensation of hitting, an immortal future, the player of a generation, the comparisons with Ted Williams and many others were part of the spring of the Dominican outfield Juan Soto of the Washington Nationals.
At 22, Soto knows what he wants and how he wants it and if I make him choose between himself and someone else, whether it’s Mike Trout, Fernando Tatis Jr. or anyone, he will always choose himself.
“For me, my mentality always goes to me, I have confidence in myself, in my abilities. I always commented that those players, I like the way they are, for me they are super stars, incredible, but at the end of the day, when we go to you, they go to me. I’ll never take him down from Mike Trout. For me, he is one of the best, but when he compares him to me, I will always choose myself instead of anyone, ”Soto said in a Zoom interview.
Why not? MLB already considers him the third best outfield in the major leagues, behind only Trout and Mookie Betts.
In just three years in the major leagues, he already has a title (2019) and a leader in the national league, after hitting .351 last season.
He tries to take it easy and, despite being extremely self-confident, remains humble and enjoys the game.
“What I like most is to hit. I like the game, to go out to play hard, to listen to people’s noise, but certainly what I like the most is to hit. But when I play on the field, leading the bases, that’s fine too, “he added.
Soto left the game Thursday after feeling a tight right leg during an 11-pitch batting off Miami Marlins Sixto Sánchez. Soto received treatment on Friday and, with a day off on Saturday, is expected to return on Sunday.
“I felt he tightened his calf a little, but everything will be fine in that regard,” Quisqueyano said.
“I will never entertain him from Mike Trout. For me, he is one of the best, but when they compare him to me, I will always choose in front of everyone. ”
Face the best
Soto is motivated by the start of the season and the NL East, where he will face the Atlanta Braves, New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies and Miami Marlins with great frequency.
But the most fun for Soto will be the best pitcher in the business.
“Jacob deGrom is the funniest moment of the fight, he is the best pitcher in the business and it is always good to face the best to challenge your mind and body,” he revealed.
In 15 batting careers against deGrom, Soto hits .200, with a home round and three RBIs.
About the contract
ESPN magazine published a report on Soto in which he is profiled as the first athlete to receive a US $ 500 million contract in professional sports in the United States.
For the Dominican, this will only be a motivation to help both his family and the people around him.
“For me, my family has always been the main thing. When I talk about a long-term contract, I think of the people I will help. Not just my family, but the people who grew up with me in the neighborhood. When you see people who have no food, that’s powerful. Since I signed on July 2, my mentality has always been to help my family and I think that has made me a better human being, “he said.
Stay focused
Soto always stays focused on his work and few things get him out of focus when he’s on the field. But how do you manage not to blur the many distractions on the field?
“I try to stay away from social networks during the season, which is managed by my representatives, because I don’t want to lose my focus,” he said.