BREAKING NEWS: Juan Soto hits 426-foot home run in first spring training at-bat for New York Mets

Juan Soto hits 426-foot home run in his first at-bat for the Mets | AP News

Juan Soto, who inked a record $765 million, 15-year deal to join the New York Mets in December, made an instant impact in his first spring training game with his new team, belting a 426-foot home run in his first at-bat.

Soto, who jumped to the success-starved Mets from the glamorous crosstown rival Yankees after helping the Bronx Bombers reach last year’s World Series, staked the Mets to a 1-0 lead over the Houston Astros in the first inning of their eventual 6-2 win in Florida.

 

“It was pretty incredible, I’m not going to lie,” said Mets manager Carlos Mendoza, who placed Soto second in the lineup between Francisco Lindor and Pete Alonso.

Premium fonts & graphics for just $1

“Been watching this guy take some live at-bats for the past four or five days and then just having the ability to turn the switch like that — you put a different guy on the mound with a different uniform and he’s just locked in,” Mendoza said after seeing Soto drill a 2-1 pitch from left-handed hurler Colton Gordon to left center field.

It’s just what the Mets were hoping for when they landed the offseason’s marquee free agent, with Soto saying when he arrived in December that he wanted to be part of bringing the Mets their first title since 1986.

“He was just a different guy in the box today,” Mendoza said. “Whether he was taking pitches, when he swung through that fastball, you just saw his demeanor in the box.”

Soto drove in another run in the second inning and said he was pleased to get his Mets tenure off to a solid start.

“It’s been really cool to see (fans) enjoying the moment and enjoying this time,” the 26-year-old Dominican said. “First year with the Mets and everything, it’s going to be unforgettable.”

Related Posts

Rаngerѕ’ Jаcob deGrom getѕ oрtіmіѕtіc рredіctіon from MLB Network

After all the injuries Jacob deGrom has suffered over the last few years, can the Rangers pitcher stay on the mound for a decent sample size?

Braves have a Max Fried replacement no one is buying in spring training, but should they?

The Atlanta Braves let Max Fried leave for the New York Yankees this winter without signing an obvious replacement. Can Bryce Elder help Atlanta stay afloat?

Bryce Eldrіdge cloutѕ fіrѕt homer, Jung Hoo Lee returnѕ to аctіon іn Gіаntѕ’ ѕрrіng oрener

ѕURрRіѕe, аrіz. – The ѕаn Frаncіѕco Gіаntѕ’ Cаctuѕ Leаgue oрener ended wіth а ѕtrong fіrѕt іmрreѕѕіon. Bryce eldrіdge, the teаm’ѕ toр рroѕрect, ѕmаѕhed аn 0-2 fаѕtbаll from…

Red Sox Could Sign Former Yankees First Baseman With Four Gold Gloves

The Boston Red Sox have a ton of depth defensively, but not necessarily at first base. The Red Sox are expecting a powerful season at the plate from their 25-ye

Nolаn Arenаdo fіnаlly аdmіtѕ John Mozelіаk wаѕ rіght аll аlong wіth Aѕtroѕ reverѕаl

Oh, so *now* he’s willing to consider a move to Houston.

What channel is New York Yankees game on today vs. Detroit Tigers (2/23/25)? | FREE LIVE STREAM, time, TV, channel for MLB spring training 2025

The New York Yankees face the Detroit Tigers in an MLB spring training game on Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025 (2/23/25) at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Florida.