Washington Nationals: Juan Soto homers in majors before his debut
By David Hill
On Monday, Washington Nationals phenom Juan Soto hit a home run five days before he was called up to the majors.
Let us head back to the Washington Nationals game against the New York Yankees on May 15. The game was tied at 3-3 in the sixth inning, when the skies opened up and the game was postponed. That contest was made up on June 18, with the two teams finishing that game, and playing another postponed contest.
Now, let us go back in time to May 20. On that day, uber prospect Juan Soto was called up to the majors, despite having just eight games at the AA level. He entered the game as a pinch hitter in the eighth innings, striking out against Erik Goeddel in his first major league at bat. The following day, Soto had his first career start, and celebrated by hitting a three run homer as part of a 2-4 day in the Nationals 10-2 victory.
At least, that was how Soto’s career appeared to begin. Let us then travel to June 18, when the Nationals and Yankees made up their suspended contest from May 15. Soto was plugged into the lineup, meaning that he appeared in a major league game before he was actually called up.
More from Call to the Pen
- Philadelphia Phillies, ready for a stretch run, bomb St. Louis Cardinals
- Philadelphia Phillies: The 4 players on the franchise’s Mount Rushmore
- Boston Red Sox fans should be upset over Mookie Betts’ comment
- Analyzing the Boston Red Sox trade for Dave Henderson and Spike Owen
- 2023 MLB postseason likely to have a strange look without Yankees, Red Sox, Cardinals
Naturally, Soto decided to add to his legacy. He immediately made his presence felt, belting a two run homer in the bottom of the sixth to put the Nationals on top. That home run proved to be the margin of victory in the Nats 5-3 win, officially ended that contest from May 15. And with that hit, Soto will get credit for a home run in a game before he officially came to the majors.
This is not the first time this has happened. According to ESPN, this same thing happened to Barry Bonds in 1986, and Dave Parker in 1973. Considering the careers that those two sluggers had, Soto is in some great company already. Sadly, we cannot list him amongst the 121 players to homer in their first at bat.
However, this homer continues Soto’s ascension amongst the all time list of teenage home run hitters. With his sixth homer, he has moved into a tie for 14th all time, matching the likes of Rusty Staub, the immortal Oyster Burns, and George Davis. He has already passed Alex Rodriguez and Mike Trout on that list. Next up, Soto would tie Adrian Beltre, Manny Machado, and three others for the ninth most homers for a teenager in baseball history.
Next: Nats acquire Kelvin Herrera
Washington Nationals outfielder Juan Soto has had quite the impressive start to his career. In fact, he has been so impressive, he was even hitting in the majors before he made his official debut.