It’s been a disappointing 2026 MLB season for the New York Mets. They’re 27-35 entering a three-game series against the San Diego Padres on Friday. The Mets are in fifth place in the National League East and six games behind a wild-card spot.
Despite their struggles, outfielder Juan Soto is playing at an All-Star level. The 27-year-old has appeared in 45 games, accumulating 167 at-bats, 49 hits, 13 home runs, 28 runs scored, 29 RBIs and 24 walks. He is also slashing .293/.380/.563 with a .943 OPS.
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He has been one of the few bright spots on a New York lineup that currently ranks 29th in OPS (.652).
New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto (22).© Robert Edwards-Imagn Images
However, his contributions aren’t just on the field. While speaking to Joel Sherman and Jon Heyman, Mets manager Carlos Mendoza revealed that Soto is one of the team’s prominent leaders behind closed doors.
“Everybody’s seeing it now because he’s doing it outside on the field with the young players in the outfield, you know, but I saw a lot of that version behind the scenes,” Mendoza said. “This is a guy that doesn’t want to do it in front of the cameras… He’s a guy that’s not going to show the whole world what he’s doing, but let me tell you it’s fun watching him doing it now on the field.”
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After debuting at just 19 years old with the Washington Nationals, he’s also made stops with the San Diego Padres and New York Yankees, building up a career defined by elite production.
Now in his ninth season in MLB, his experiences are a valuable asset for the Mets and younger players. Just two years into a 15-year, $765 million contract, the four-time All-Star serves as both a centerpiece in the lineup and a veteran voice in the clubhouse.
Related: Giants 26-Year-Old All-Star Emerging as ‘Sneaky’ Trade Candidate
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Jun 5, 2026, where it first appeared in the MLB section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.