New York Mets right fielder Juan Soto (22) reacts on the field before the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on June 27. Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Juan Soto Ties Hall of Famer in Baseball History as Hot Streak Continues For New York Mets

Originally posted on Fastball on SI | By Brady Farkas | Last updated Jun 28, 2025 8:45 AM ET

The New York Mets lost again on Friday, continuing their recent stretch of poor play with a 9-1 defeat at the hands of the Pittsburgh Pirates.

New York is now 48-35, which is good enough for second place in the National League East.

Though the team has struggled, Juan Soto has not. The 15-year man, who signed a $765 million contract in the offseason, went 1-for-2 with a home run (his 20th), raising his average to .259. He also had a walk and made some history, according to Sarah Langs of MLB.com:

Most games with at least a home run and a walk before turning 27:

Mickey Mantle: 115
Jimmie Foxx: 114
Juan Soto: 106
Eddie Mathews: 106
Mike Trout: 105

Mathews is a Hall of Famer, as are Foxx and Mantle. Trout will be a Hall of Famer someday, so that's elite company for Soto to join.

Most games with at least a home run and a walk before turning 27:

Mickey Mantle: 115
Jimmie Foxx: 114
Juan Soto: 106
Eddie Mathews: 106
Mike Trout: 105
— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) June 28, 2025

Soto will play this entire season at 26, so he has a strong chance to get to the top of that list by the end of the season. With his 20 homers, he has 46 RBIs and nine steals. He's making a case for the All-Star Game, which would mark his fourth appearance in four years with four different teams, if he can get there.

The Pirates got a big day from Bryan Reynolds, who went 2-for-5 with a home run and three RBIs.

The two teams will play again on Saturday afternoon with first pitch coming at 4:05 p.m. ET. Left-hander Bailey Falter will start for Pittsburgh while righty Paul Blackburn takes the ball for the Mets.

He's 0-2 with a 6.62 ERA, while Falter has been solid in his own right, going 6-3 with a 3.59 ERA.

This article first appeared on Fastball on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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