Watch: Juan Soto's first Yankees spring training home run is a monster
The New York Yankees are hoping that offseason acquisition Juan Soto can be the missing the piece that makes them a World Series contender again. On Sunday, he gave them their first taste of what they might be able to expect when he hit his first (spring training) home run with the team.
It was an absolute monster.
Soto clubbed a 1-0 pitch off the scoreboard in left center field, measuring in at 410 feet.
Have a look.
Along with the majestic distance, it also clocked in with a 110 MPH exit velocity. That is a lot of power going the other way. Combining Soto with Aaron Judge should give the Yankees one of the most powerful 1-2 punches in the league this season, if not the most powerful.
The Yankees acquired Soto in an offseason trade with the San Diego Padres, sending several prospects back the other way. Soto is one of the best hitters in baseball, finishing the 2023 season with 35 home runs, 109 RBI, a league-leading 132 walks and a .930 OPS that ranked fifth in the league. His .946 career OPS is 27th all-time and third among active players.
He is still only 25 years old and is just now entering what should be his prime years in the league. Having an opportunity to play half of his home games in Yankee Stadium, a left-handed hitters dream, he could be in line for a massive season. He is also entering the final year of his contract and will be eligible for free agency after the 2024 season.
The Yankees are coming off a bitterly disappointing 82-80 season in 2023 and are facing immense pressure to contend in the American League this season.
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