New York Mets right fielder Juan Soto (22) hits a home run against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the sixth inning at Citi Field. Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

Watch: Mets OF Juan Soto blasts two home runs to snap Citi Field drought

By Eric Smithling | Last updated May 1, 2025 4:32 PM ET

It took longer than he might have liked, but New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto snapped his Citi Field home run drought in a big way on Thursday.

The four-time All-Star hit two home runs for New York in a 4-2 loss for his first long balls at his home stadium since signing a landmark 15-year, $765 million contract as a free agent in December 2024.

His most recent home run at Citi Field before Thursday was on June 25, 2024, when he was with the Yankees.

Soto's first long ball came in the bottom of the sixth inning with the Mets trailing 2-0. He took Diamondbacks starting pitcher Zac Gallen's 89 mph cutter 391 feet to left centerfield. Per Baseball Savant, the ball left Soto's bat with an exit velocity of 106.4 mph and would have been a home run in over half of all other MLB ballparks (16 of 30).

Juan Soto mashes his first @Mets home run at Citi Field pic.twitter.com/7Z6oSMKOu3
— MLB (@MLB) May 1, 2025

Two innings later, Soto blasted his second solo home run of the game to nearly the same part of the stands off relief pitcher Kevin Ginkel, once again cutting Arizona's lead to one run.

Juan Soto leaves the yard AGAIN pic.twitter.com/39SBEnSzCY
— MLB (@MLB) May 1, 2025

While New York might want to work on getting runners on base when Soto is at the plate, it's a good sign that its highest-paid player has snapped out of his home-field slump.

It's been jarring to see Soto put up mediocre numbers at Citi Field after owning the ballpark as an opponent with the Yankees, Washington Nationals and San Diego Padres.

Per Stathead, from 2018-24, Soto slashed .333/.466/.709 with 12 home runs (19 total extra-base hits), 28 strikeouts and 28 walks in 146 plate appearances at Citi Field.

While the Mets lost Thursday's game, they should take solace in the more minor victory of their star finally playing like one at home.

Eric Smithling

Eric Smithling is a writer based in New Orleans, LA, whose byline also appears on Athlon Sports. He has been with Yardbarker since September 2022, primarily covering the NFL and college football, but also the NBA, WNBA, men’s and women’s college basketball, NHL, tennis and golf. He holds a film studies degree from the University of New Orleans

More must-reads: