Outfielder Juan Soto Is On Pace For Yet Another Record That Puts Him In Elite Company
· Yahoo Sports
Outfielder Juan Soto is constantly setting records for the New York Mets, but some go well beyond franchise landmarks. He's also had some that are pretty unusual, especially the record that will be well within Soto’s reach as the 2026 season gets underway on Thursday.
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According to Sarah Langs of MLB.com, Soto could get to a career total of 1,000 walks which would give him the most ever before the age of 29. Langs listed Soto’s possible achievement as one of ten career milestones that could happen in 2026, and he’s got a solid shot given that he’s had at least 127 walks in each season since the start of 2021.
Soto currently has 896 walks, which is the record for both 27- and 28-year olds. (Soto is currently 27, and he’ll turn 28 in October. The current record for most walks before the age of 29 is held by Mickey Mantle, who had 1,003.
The list of players in the top five on this particular record list also includes Ted Williams, Babe Ruth and Frank Thomas, so Soto is in good company here. Soto has also played 1,096 games in his career, which means he has the durability to do it.
This isn’t exactly a record the Mets want Soto to set so quickly, however. When first baseman Pete Alonso left in free agency to join the Baltimore Orioles, both the media and the fan base went into a typical panic that included predictions that Soto might walk 200 times this season.
That seems unlikely now. The Mets signed infielder Bo Bichette to bolster the offense, and while they have sacrificed some power in the moves they’ve made, this there are few holes in the lineup as currently constituted.
Soto is currently projected to hit in the two hole behind shortstop Francisco Lindor, and while there will be plenty of opportunities to walk Soto when Lindor doubles, there’s also the inherent risk of a big inning that comes with that strategy.
Bichette will hit behind Soto and provide some protection, with first baseman Jorge Polanco projected to hit cleanup, although that could change depending on early-season results. The Mets are hoping to get power from center fielder Luis Robert Jr., who could also help protect Soto if the Mets can keep him healthy and back on track after a couple of down years.
Regardless of the lineup, Soto will get his walks. He’s simply that good, so there’s no way to prevent this from happening. Whether he sets the walk record will ultimately be moot, especially if the Mets get a stellar offensive season from Soto.