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Juan Soto Joins Barry Bonds by Making MLB History in First Season With Mets

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Dave Ettinger | Last updated Aug 31, 2025 12:54 AM ET

Juan Soto has been under a magnifying glass all season. After spending one successful season with the New York Yankees, he made the lucrative, free agent decision to sign with the cross-town New York Mets.

After signing that 15-year, $765 million contract, Soto's performance throughout the 2025 MLB season has been scrutinized by many around the baseball world. While Soto got off to a slow start, hitting just three home runs through the end of April (31 games played), he has been hitting balls out of the park at a torrid pace.

Soto's all-around talents have risen to the top as the season has progressed with pundits around the league having an increasingly difficult time criticizing Soto's first season with the Mets.

Juan Soto Joins Elite MLB Company

Soto had another monster game on Saturday against the Miami Marlins. While the Mets fell 11-8, Soto blasted two home runs (34 and 35) and also stole two bases (24 and 25). Marlins pitchers also walked Soto twice, putting him on base in every plate appearance.

Following Saturday's game, Soto has now hit 35 home runs, stolen 25 bases, and been walked 111 times. He joins Barry Bonds as the only other player in MLB history to reach 30+ home runs, 20+ stolen bases, and 110+ walks in their first season with a new team. Bonds accomplished this feat in his first season with the San Francisco Giants (1993).

Players in MLB history to have at least 30 home runs, 20 stolen bases and 110 walks in their first season with a team:

Juan Soto - Mets (2025)
Barry Bonds - Giants (1993)

That’s it. pic.twitter.com/jpioHXFMuP
— Greg Harvey (@BetweenTheNums) August 30, 2025

Soto made multiple forms of MLB history on Saturday, also becoming the first player to hit at least 35 home runs with three different teams in three straight seasons.

As per @OptaSTATS on X, Soto also became the first player in MLB history to hit 10 home runs, steal 10 bases, and have at least 25 walks in a calendar month. Soto accomplished this feat this August with one day remaining in the month.

Juan Soto is the first player in MLB history with at least 10 home runs, 10 stolen bases and 25 walks in a calendar month. pic.twitter.com/z4FSJtrRGr
— OptaSTATS (@OptaSTATS) August 30, 2025

With 16 games remaining in the regular season, Soto has a chance to hit 40 or more home runs while also stealing 30 bases for the first time in his career. Despite the slow start, year No.1 of 15 has shaped into a historical one.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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