Soto Makes Instant Impact in Spring Training Debut

Juan Soto‘s first exhibition game in a Mets uniform lived up to the hype.

The superstar outfielder wasted no time making his presence felt, crushing an opposite-field solo home run in his first spring training at-bat. His 426-foot blast off of Astros southpaw Colton Gordon put the Mets on the board early in their Grapefruit League opener. The homer set the tone for what fans hope will be an unforgettable season.

From the moment he took the field in right, Soto was met with roaring applause from the Port St. Lucie crowd. He then stepped into the box for the first time in blue and orange. When he launched his home run on a 2-1 count, the stadium’s energy only grew.

Soto’s teammates were also excited about his instant impact.

“I feel like everybody was really happy,” Soto said after the game, via SNY. Suppressing a smile, he added, “I’d say Jesse Winker had the worst reaction–I stepped on him…so he was in pain but happy at the same time.”

His second at-bat came with the bases loaded and one out. Though not as flamboyantly, he got the job done, driving in a run with a fielder’s choice. He was clearly pleased about his showing. “It feels pretty good,” Soto told SNY. “It means everything that we’ve been doing is paying off. We’ve been working really hard this offseason.”

Additionally, Mets manager Carlos Mendoza was impressed with what he saw in his new right fielder. “I like him,” Mendoza quipped. “It’s pretty incredible, not gonna lie. I’ve been watching this guy take some live at-bats…having the ability to turn the switch like that…put a different guy on the mound…he just locked in.”

His former Yankee teammate Clay Holmes echoed that sentiment. “The more people are watching, the more that’s at stake, you’re gonna get Juan Soto in the box and he does special things.”

Soto’s presence in the Mets’ lineup is expected to be game-changing, and his homer today provides an early glimpse of why. Batting second behind Francisco Lindor and Pete Alonso–possibly a preview of the team’s regular season lineup–Soto looked right at home.

Beyond his performance, he has already embraced his new fanbase. “It’s been really cool to see them enjoying the moment and enjoying this time,” he said. “First year with the Mets and everything, it’s going to be unforgettable.”

Soto’s Mets tenure is just beginning, but if his first swing is any indication, it could be the start of something special.

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