He had a 142 OPS+ as a 19-year-old rookie in 2018, meaning he was 42% better than league average, offensively. He hit five home runs and drove in 14 runs during a 2019 postseason run that included his 21st birthday. He’s had numerous postseason moments, won a batting title and Home Run Derby.
But this year, Soto added a new wrinkle along with the power and walks we have come to expect from him. He steals bases now, too.
With that addition on top of his typical plate production, this season has been particularly remarkable for Soto.
Here’s what makes his 2025 season so historic.
The new twist: Soto stolen bases
Under the tutelage of coach Antoan Richardson, Soto is up to a career-high 35 steals. His top mark entering 2025 was 12, in both 2023 and ‘19.
He’s in the 86th percentile in baserunning run value with three baserunning runs. He previously never had more than zero baserunning runs in a season. In fact, he has two seasons with minus-three baserunning runs, including just last year. If he finishes at three or more, where he currently stands, Soto will be the first player with multiple seasons of minus-three baserunning runs or fewer and at least one season with three or more since Statcast began tracking (2016 for this metric), per MLB’s Jason Bernard.
But the increase itself isn’t what makes this season so historic. It’s the combination of this newfound stolen base prowess with Soto’s power and plate discipline, which is his calling card.
Soto has a career-high 42 home runs. He has 123 walks, three shy of setting a Mets’ single-season record. Put that all together and there’s only one other player on the list.
He’s the second player in MLB history with at least 40 home runs, 35 stolen bases and 100 walks in a season. The other is Barry Bonds, in both 1996 and ‘97.
Just to reiterate, a player who is off to one of the best starts to a career we have seen through his ripe current age of 26 … found yet another way to be historic. Remarkable.
The expected: Soto homers & Soto walks
We would be remiss if we didn’t mention all the other historic things Soto is doing this year — again, with the fact he added a new, valuable element to his game as a backdrop, too.
Let’s start with the homers and walks noted above. This is Soto’s fifth season with at least 25 home runs and 120 walks. That’s already the fourth-most in MLB history, behind Bonds (11), Babe Ruth (10) and Ted Williams (eight). Soto’s have come in each of the last five seasons, the second-longest such streak in seasons played behind Williams’ six straight from 1941-42 through 1946-49 (military service from 1943-45).
Take away the home run qualifier, and Soto’s five seasons with at least 120 walks are fifth most behind the same trio noted above with the same totals, plus Eddie Yost with eight seasons.
Speaking of walks, Soto set the record for most before turning 27 earlier this year when he drew his 798th, passing Mickey Mantle. He’s now at 892 career walks, tied with Mantle for the most before turning 28. Again, Soto is 26 years old.
If you’re keeping score at home, he already has the most walks before turning 20, 21, 23, 24, 25, 26 and 27.
He’s also on track to extend a streak that shows just how historic Soto’s start to his career has been. He has a 163 OPS+, meaning he will end up with at least a 140 mark for the eighth straight year. That will be tied for the fourth-most consecutive seasons with at least a 140 OPS+ to start a career, behind only Williams (17), Albert Pujols (11) and Johnny Mize (10). He will tie Charlie Keller and Frank Thomas.
What’s next
Soto just keeps finding new ways to get better while continuing to showcase the skills that have made his career remarkable thus far. By becoming a basestealer this year, Soto has put together a historic power-speed-patience season. And with 35 stolen bases with six games to go, the 40-40 club isn’t out of the question, either. What a season for Juan Soto.
