Watch: First look at Juan Soto as a Yankee at introductory news conference
Most Yankees fans eagerly anticipate watching newly acquired outfielder Juan Soto, but some may question whether he can handle the limelight in New York.
Soto's answers at his introductory news conference on Tuesday should go a long way toward easing those doubts.
"It's always good to see the family and friends I have in New York, and it's a great feeling to play in New York," Soto said when asked about his experience playing at Yankee Stadium in the past.
"The crowd is just incredible, even when they weren't cheering for me."
While Soto's answers may comfort those harboring reservations about his ability to perform on the biggest stage in baseball, his body of work gives the hope substance.
Just 25 years old, Soto has already been a key cog on a World Series team.
In 2019, he hit five postseason home runs, including three in the Fall Classic with a 1.178 OPS against the Houston Astros. He's also been productive at Yankee Stadium already in his career, with four bombs in 28 plate appearances.
"It feels comfortable to be there," he said when asked by YES Network's Jack Curry about his early success in the Bronx. "I don't even try to hit homers, just long line-drives and that's the way it goes."
After the disappointing 82-80 performance in 2023 — largely thanks to an anemic offense bogged down by injuries to key players like Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton and Another Rizzo — Soto's durability could become his most valuable quality for manager Aaron Boone.
Soto started all 162 contests in 2023 and has yet to miss more than 13 games in a season in his six-year career.
The Yankees haven't been to the World Series since Soto was 11, and after 2023, the Judge/Gerrit Cole championship window seemed like it was shutting.
Soto's powerful left-handed bat is a key step to opening it back up.
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