Monster Soto performance shows why he was worth contract

New York Mets right fielder Juan Soto (22) celebrates in the dugout after hitting a grand slam home run against the Detroit Tigers in the fourth inning at Comerica Park. Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images

Monster Juan Soto performance shows why he was worth massive contract

By Eric Smithling | Last updated Sep 1, 2025 6:33 PM ET

New York Mets right fielder Juan Soto played like a $765M man on Monday.

In a 10-8 Labor Day win over the AL-leading Detroit Tigers (80-59), Soto had arguably his best game with the Mets, finishing 2-of-3 with two walks, a home run, a triple and six runs batted in, which tied a career high.

It was the kind of performance the Mets envisioned from the four-time All-Star when they signed him to a historic, 15-year, $765M contract during free agency last December.

In the top of the fourth, Soto hit a two-out, two-strike grand slam off Tigers starting pitcher Charlie Morton, whom Detroit acquired from the Baltimore Orioles at the July 31 trade deadline. Soto ripped the ball 419 feet to right centerfield for his fourth home run in four games.

Juan Soto gives the @Mets the lead in GRAND STYLE!

Homer No. 36 of the year is a GRAND SLAM pic.twitter.com/fnSTxgxNVl
— MLB (@MLB) September 1, 2025

Per OptaStats, Soto is only the second player since RBI became an official stat in 1920 to have at least four home runs, three stolen bases, a triple and 11 RBI in a five-game span, joining former San Diego Padres first baseman Ryan Klesko (May 2001).

The @Mets' Juan Soto has 4 home runs, 1 triple, 3 stolen bases & 11 RBI over his last four games.

Since RBI became official in 1920, only one other MLB player has reached those marks over a 4-game span (Ryan Klesko in May 2001). pic.twitter.com/pcAq0T42ED
— OptaSTATS (@OptaSTATS) September 1, 2025

Soto is catching fire at the perfect time for the Mets, who are 74-64 and 5.5 games behind the Philadelphia Phillies (79-58) for first in the NL East. New York is four games ahead of the Cincinnati Reds (70-68) for the NL's final wild-card spot.

This season, Soto is slashing .257/.398/.518 with 36 home runs and 90 RBI. He also leads MLB with 113 walks. While his batting average is notably lower than his career .285 average entering the season, he's still one of the league's most dangerous weapons at the plate.

Per Baseball Savant, Soto ranks in the 99th percentile in expected slugging percentage (.620), with a 17.8% barrel rate, which ranks No. 11 in the majors. He also ranks No. 6 in hard hit rate (55.9%), with 207 hits leaving his bat with an exit velocity of at least 95 mph.

For most players, Soto's 2025 would be a career year. It speaks to what he's accomplished already in his career that, on the surface, his production might appear underwhelming.

But Soto has been worth every bit of his contract. He showed why on Monday.

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

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