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Juan Soto shares who has helped him the most amid slow start to Mets tenure
Star outfielder Juan Soto hit a pair of home runs in a game for the second time since May 1 as he helped the New York Mets notch a 7-1 win at the Arizona Diamondbacks on Wednesday.
Following the victory, Soto credited manager Carlos Mendoza for what Mendoza has offered the slugger amid his transition to the Mets and his early-season struggles at the plate.
"I've been feeling, you know, really comfortable. It's not easy at all," Soto explained, as shared by Bob Nightengale of USA Today. "You know, when you come to a team for the first time, it's always going to take you a little bit to settle in, but Mendoza has been helping big time."
Skipper Craig Counsell was routinely linked with the Mets following the 2023 season, but he reset the market for managers at that time when he signed a record-setting five-year, $40M contract with the Chicago Cubs. Thus, many Mets fans felt that fall that the club "settled" by hiring Mendoza, who had never before served as a manager at the highest level.
The 2024 Mets ended May 29 at 22-33, but Mendoza ultimately guided the club to a playoff berth and to the National League Championship Series. He finished third in NL Manager of the Year Award voting for last season.
As for Soto, much has been made this spring about whether or not he's been pressing at the dish after he signed a 15-year, $765M contract that could exceed $800M to join the Mets this past offseason. For what it's worth, Baseball Reference shows that he hit .346 with four home runs, five RBI, six walks and a 1.339 OPS over his first seven games of May.
It sounds like he feels he's on the verge of a true breakout at the plate.
"I've been seeing the ball well, just trying to make hard contact everywhere I go," Soto told SNY's Steve Gelbs (h/t Tom Hanslin) after Wednesday's win. "Right now, I feel pretty good. What I've been working on is going the right way. We still have a long way to go, but I think we're going the same way. Trying to make sure I be on time and make good decisions at the plate."
Soto hasn't yet lived up to expectations since Opening Day, but the 24-14 Mets nevertheless entered Thursday atop the NL East standings. He'll look to continue to "make good decisions at the plate" when the Amazins open a three-game home series versus the Cubs on Friday night.
More must-reads:
- Watch: Mets' Juan Soto looks like the $765M man vs. Diamondbacks
- Mets heap praise on Pete Alonso as hot start to 2025 season continues
- The 'MLB home run leaders from 2024' quiz
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King of New York: Pete Alonso breaks major Mets all-time record
Pete Alonso is now the New York Mets' all-time home run king. With his opposite-field, two-run home run in the bottom of the third inning against the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday night, Alonso clubbed the 253rd and 254th home runs of his Mets career, moving him into sole possession of first place on the team's all-time list. He moved two home runs ahead of the previous record-holder, Darryl Strawberry, who hit 252 home runs with the team between the 1983 and 1990 seasons. Here is a look at his record-setting home run. Later in the bottom of the sixth inning, Alonso hit his 254th home run: Along with the all-time Mets home run lead, Alonso is also the Mets' single-season home run leader with 53 home runs during the 2019 season. Strawberry congratulated Alonso on breaking his record: His home runs on Tuesday were his 27th and 28th of the season. It is a big deal for Alonso because there was some doubt this past offseason about whether he would have a chance to set this record. Even though he was close, the uncertainty around his future, given his free-agent status, created a lot of questions about where he would play. Ultimately, the Mets re-signed him to a two-year, $54 million contract that includes an opt-out clause following the 2025 season. That opt-out will again create some uncertainty about his future, but it is pretty clear Alonso still has a lot of power left in his bat. Whether he returns to the Mets or goes somewhere else, he will remain the franchise's greatest home run hitter for the foreseeable future. He is now on top of the record books for the single season and career.
Bruins' top prospect makes decision on college that will shake up the scene
Boston Bruins top prospect James Hagens has announced he will return to Boston College for his sophomore season. In a brief interview with Scott McLaughlin of Boston’s WEEI 93.7, Hagens shared that he’s in no rush to advance to the next step, acknowledging that development is a, “marathon, not a sprint.” Hagens revealed the news while participating at the Bruins’ 14th annual back-to-school celebration, alongside current Bruins Mason Lohrei and John Beecher. Few announcements will shake the college scene as much as the news of Hagens’ return. He was among the best freshmen in college last season, tracking to 37 points in 37 games. That scoring earned him a unanimous selection to Hockey East’s All-Rookie team — an accolade he shared with teammate Teddy Stiga and Boston University rival Cole Hutson. Hagens reached those heights while filling an interesting role with the Eagles, stepping in between wingers Gabe Perreault and Ryan Leonard after the two spent their last three years centered by San Jose Sharks prospect Will Smith. Each of Perreault, Leonard and Hagens scored fewer points than the Eagles’ top-line managed in 2023-24, but it seemed that was more the cause of a low-scoring year across Hockey East. The top unit recorded points on 36 percent of BC’s goals this season, an ever-so-slight improvement over the 34 percent contributed by Smith, Leonard and Perreault in 2024. But while Hagens faced questions of his scoring upside relative to other top draft-eligible talents in the NCAA, it was hard not to be impressed by his on-ice results. He’s long been a dynamo among his age group, with an innate ability to predict movement and put himself in position to make a play. Hagens is strong on the puck — with an ability to use finesse moves and bulky shoulders to force his way into the dangerous areas of the ice. More than that, he showed clear signs of improvement as the year went on — developing his physical presence and ability to make a difference even when he wasn’t the first man in on a play. Those signs of growth give Boston a prospect to be excited over. Hagens was lauded as the clear first overall talent in the 2025 draft class, prior to the beginning of the 2024-25 season. Much of that claim came from his command of the U.S. NTDP over the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons, where he served as the team’s top-line center and snappy playmaker next to electric goal-scorer Cole Eiserman. With Eiserman’s help, Hagens was able to become the fifth-highest scoring player in NTDP history, with 187 points in 118 games. He also set the scoring record at the World U17 Hockey Challenge in 2023, with 21 points in seven games, and the World U18 Championship in 2024, with 22 points in seven games. Hagens will be returning to a fresh-faced Boston College lineup next season. Both Leonard and Perreault signed their NHL entry-level contracts at the end of last season, leaving the Eagles with vacancies on both wings on their top-line. One of those spots will be occupied by Stiga, who has shown years of chemistry playing next to Hagens. The other spot will be closely contested, but could land in the hands of transfer forward Ryan Conmy or fellow Bruins draft pick William Moore. Hagens and Moore will be two of six Bruins prospects on next year’s Eagles squad, providing local fans with plenty of reasons to walk to Conte Forum when the puck drops.
Oregon suspends former five-star WR recruit indefinitely
Oregon wide receiver Jurrion Dickey has struggled to live up to expectations in his first two seasons with the Ducks, and he is now in a terrible position heading into 2025 as well. Dickey has been suspended indefinitely by Oregon, head coach Dan Lanning announced on Tuesday. Lanning also suggested that Dickey may not play for the Ducks again. "We have two team rules; that’s respectful, be on time,” Lanning said, via James Crepea of The Oregonian. “There’s some pieces of that where I felt like he needed a break from us and we needed a break from that so we could focus on what’s in front of us right now. "Wishing him nothing but the best, as far as success and want to see him get back to where he can be a contributor somewhere; that might be here that might be somewhere else.” Dickey was a five-star recruit and rated as one of the top wide receivers in the country when he came out of Menlo-Atherton High School in Atherton, California, in 2023. He suffered an injury in his senior year in high school and redshirted as a freshman at Oregon. Dickey has two catches for 14 years during his time with the Ducks. Oregon went 13-1 in Lanning's third season with the program last season. The Ducks lost to eventual national champion Ohio State in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals.
Five Raiders Players Making a Big Push to Make Pete Carroll's 53-Man Roster
HENDERSON, Nev.—The Las Vegas Raiders will host the San Francisco 49ers tomorrow for a joint practice and will face them again on Saturday at Allegiant Stadium for their second preseason game. While Raider Nation's focus is on the 49ers, there are five players fiercely competing for a spot on Pete Carroll's initial 53-man roster. Their competition was evident in today's practice. From my vantage point on the sideline, here are five players who are striving to secure a place on the Silver and Black roster. Greedy is Good Greedy Vance, the undrafted free agent from USC, has had an outstanding training camp. Originally, I believed he would end up on the practice squad, but as of Monday, I projected him to make the roster. He is currently competing with Kyu Blu Kelly, but Vance has shown remarkable resilience. His ability to maintain a short memory—essential for a defensive back—coupled with his fearless nature, has helped him stand out. In his roles on offense and special teams, he cannot afford to have a bad day, and so far, he hasn't. The big question for him is how he will manage the intense pressure of football as the team approaches the August 27 NFL cut-down day. Don’t be (Kyu) Blue Kyu Blu Kelly, hailing from Las Vegas and a former Stanford Cardinal, has had an impressive training camp. Over the past two days, he has performed exceptionally well, earning first-team reps both times. The pressure of the moment hasn't fazed him, and he has truly excelled. He is currently competing with Greedy Vance, whom I had previously projected to make the 53-man roster. This competition is very close, but after Kelly's strong performances over the last two days, I believe he is slightly ahead of Vance. The upcoming game against the 49ers could be crucial for Kelly's NFL future. The Name is Bachman, Alex Bachman The Webster Dictionary definition of an underdog includes a reference to Alex Bachman. After attending multiple training camps, this young athlete, who has a passion for football, continues to pursue his dream. He has been fully committed and has had an impressive camp, making plays on both offense and special teams. Bachman has taken full advantage of his opportunities with the first, second, and third teams, excelling in every role assigned to him. Currently, he is in a tough competition. Initially, I didn’t anticipate him making the 53-man roster, but after my mid-camp assessment on Monday, I’ve changed my mind. The competition is exceptionally close, and as he strives to secure a spot on the roster for the first time, he cannot afford any missteps—one bad play could cost him his chance. His competitors are improving every day, and the race for the fifth wide receiver position is as intense as any on the team. The Eyes of Texas Are Upon You, Collin Collin Johnson, the Texas Longhorns player, has had two remarkable days in a row. Today, he capitalized on his first-team reps, showcasing his agility, versatility, and impressive football intelligence. With his notable size and good speed, he presents more opportunities than Bachman, and he doesn’t seem overwhelmed by the stage. His performance over the last two practices has narrowed the gap between him and Bachman, and he deserves more primary reps. Johnson’s skill set stands out, even though Bachman consistently makes plays. This is largely due to Johnson's physical attributes. He learns quickly, and while his skills are impressive, his intelligence on the field is his greatest asset. At 6’5” and 220 pounds—5 inches taller and 30 pounds heavier than Bachman—he can use his size to create separation without drawing the dreaded pass interference penalty. While Bachman may be faster, every time Johnson excels in crucial situations, he demonstrates the unique tactical advantages he can offer. So You’re Saying There's a Chance Tommy Mellott, the pride of Butte, Montana, faces a daunting challenge. The FCS star quarterback is being asked to transition from FCS to the NFL while also changing positions. The task is significant, but let’s not portray him as a victim. Mellott has both talent and heart, and I believe he may not even realize how good he truly is at this point. The Raiders see the potential for him to become a Julian Edelman-type player, as he displays a unique combination of physicality and intelligence that is reminiscent of a Hogwarts wizard. Now, here’s the question: if we are looking strictly at 2025, Mellott is unlikely to beat out Alex Bachman or Collin Johnson. However, on a team that isn't expected to contend for the Super Bowl in 2025 and already has four solid wide receivers on the roster, can John Spytek afford to keep Mellott as a luxury piece on special teams and at wide receiver to allow him to develop? If the Raiders were to try placing him on the practice squad, there’s no guarantee that another team wouldn’t sign him to their 53-man roster. So what should Spytek do? Should he take the risk of losing a player with great potential by placing him on the practice squad, or should he choose a more cautious approach? Las Vegas is known for its gamblers. A strong finish for Mellott could simplify this decision, but if he doesn’t perform well, he could create headaches for the Raiders' leadership. Find us on X (formerly Twitter) @HondoCarpenter and Instagram @HondoSr and talk to us in 2025 about the Raiders and more. While here, check out our Facebook page WHEN YOU CLICK RIGHT HERE to discuss all Raiders content in 2025.
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