Juan Soto didn’t look like himself in a San Diego Padres uniform last season.
Sure, he’s still the big name on the back of his jersey, but his production took a noticeable dip after arriving in sunny southern California at last year’s trade deadline in a blockbuster swap with the Washington Nationals.
Case in point: his OPS in Washington was .894 (159 OPS+). With the Padres? .778 (130 OPS+). That represented a steep, 100-plus point decline on Soto’s first team versus his second.
To say that his performance in San Diego down the stretch was disappointing would be understating things given his otherworldly talent. However, 2023 is a new beginning for Soto, as it is for the Padres.
Juan Soto ready for his first full season with the San Diego Padres
Speaking on the Ben & Woods show on Audacy’s 97.3 The Fan in San Diego, the 24-year-old expressed that the key to a great season is just staying consistent.
"“For me, it’s just the (consistency). That’s what I look (for) in a great season. Just stay consistent and keep moving forward every game and every at-bat. That’s what I look for in a good season.”"
Soto also isn’t looking to be the hero every game, emphasizing the importance of getting on base as imperative to doing damage.
"“I know any time I’m on base, I’m doing damage… You know, everybody loves homers, everybody loves extra bases. But, at the end of the day, you won’t do that every at-bat…. Every time I’m on base, I’m just looking to score.”"
Considering the lineup the Padres will field this year, which includes a host of superstars like Manny Machado, Fernando Tatis Jr. and Xander Bogaerts, Soto should have a multitude of opportunities to reach base in 2023.
Speaking of a stacked roster, Soto will be playing left field this season to accommodate some of San Diego’s newest acquisitions. He says he’s comfortable with that.
"“It feels pretty good. I’ve been there before…I know how it works. Just a little different stuff that I’ve got to do and shift my mind and just go play.”"
As for his free agency in two years? Just leave Juan Soto to play ball and the rest will figure itself out.
"“I just let my agent do work with it. I’m here to play baseball. I’m just gonna keep playing baseball. I let Scott (Boras) to do all the business part and he will let me know what’s gonna be the best (option).”"
That response is hardly surprising, given that Scott Boras almost always takes his clients to free agency to maximize their value. Not that a player of Juan Soto’s caliber needs any help pleading his case, of course.
The 2023 season is approaching rapidly with spring training underway, and Juan Soto seems ready for what’s to come, as well as putting his 2022 late-season struggles in the rearview mirror.