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MLB Reacts to Juan Soto Announcement on Thursday

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Cole Sullivan | Last updated Jun 19, 2025 8:53 PM ET

The New York Mets entered Thursday night with a 45–29 record, sitting atop the NL East. However, they’re currently riding a five-game losing streak, with their last two defeats coming against division rival Atlanta Braves.

Despite the skid, Mets superstar Juan Soto has started to find his rhythm following a slow start to the season. Over his last 11 games, he’s recorded five multi-hit performances, three home runs, six RBIs, and 12 runs scored—while continuing to post an elite walk rate that has helped him consistently reach base.

On Thursday night, Soto added to his hot stretch with a hit in his first at-bat—and it was a milestone moment. The Mets and MLB announced that the hit was the 1,000th of his career, a feat achieved by just 1,346 players in MLB history. Even more impressive: Soto is still only 26 years old, with plenty of baseball ahead.

MLB celebrated the moment on social media, posting, “Congratulations to Juan Soto on collecting hit No. 1,000!”

Congratulations to Juan Soto on collecting hit No. 1,000! pic.twitter.com/B5wpq6HeuW
— MLB (@MLB) June 19, 2025

Soto is just the third player in MLB history—joining legends Mel Ott and Mickey Mantle—as the only players to record at least 1,000 hits, 200 home runs, and 700 walks before turning 27.

After beginning his career with the Washington Nationals—where he won a World Series in 2019—Soto had brief stints with the San Diego Padres and the New York Yankees.

Yet, this past offseason, he made headlines by signing the largest contract in professional sports history: a 15-year, $765 million deal with the Mets.

Through his first 74 games in blue and orange, Soto is batting .248—a mark that’s shown recent improvement—while tallying 14 home runs, 37 RBIs, and posting an .849 OPS.

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

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