No pitcher wants to see Juan Soto head toward the batter’s box because of the sheer quality and power he brings to the table, but what about the visual appeal? Does Soto rank at the top on that parameter as well? Well, Athletic’s 2025 MLB player poll paints a surprising picture.
Soto, the most expensive player in baseball history with a 15-year, $765 million deal, might be experiencing a slight dip in form this season, but he has been a towering figure in the MLB with a career batting average of .283 and an on-base percentage of .419. While his 2025 numbers might not have met the standards he has set for himself, he still averages .252 with an OBP of .387.
But surprisingly, the Mets star did not find even one vote in the “most fun to watch” category in the Athletic’s poll. Not even a mention! Shohei Ohtani, Aaron Judge, and even the shortstop Lindor made it to the list, but not Soto. While Ohtani is at the top with 29% of the votes, Judge and Lindor are tied with 5%. Soto? Well, he stayed out of sight.
But in a different poll of MLB pitchers where they were asked who they would least like to face in a Game 7 of the World Series, Soto beat almost everyone, including Ohtani and Judge. He got 10% of the votes, the most for any hitter in that category.
May 11, 2025, Queens, New York, USA: Juan Soto 22 of the New York Mets flys out during MLB, Baseball Herren, USA game Chicago Cubs at NY Metes at Citi Field Queens USA – ZUMAc268 20250511_zsp_c268_010 Copyright: xJamesxPatrickxCooperx
Ohtani, the unicorn, finished second with 9%, while Judge, the Yankees captain, rounded out the top three with 6%. The reason behind Soto topping this list? Well, his discipline.
“He’s very disciplined. Just seems like he doesn’t hit anything soft. Anything in the zone, he puts the barrel on it. His discipline is almost intimidating, for lack of a better word. Especially in a leverage situation, it’s like you have to make a perfect pitch,” one pitcher, whose name was kept anonymous, was quoted as saying by The Athletic.
Another pitcher echoed similar sentiments, saying, “His ability to have plate discipline, no whiff and power is really difficult to face. There aren’t many guys who have the power to hit like that but not the whiff. He hits mistakes every time. He doesn’t chase.”
While Soto might not have set the stage ablaze straightaway this season, he seems to be getting back into his groove slowly but steadily. Considering his recent performances against the Nationals, the pitchers better fear him because he is back!
Juan Soto’s heat turns Mets–Nats series
The Mets started the series at Citi Field on June 10, 2025, with a close 5–4, 10-inning game against Soto’s old team, the Nationals. Soto was central to the victory, hitting a third-inning home run off MacKenzie Gore (the player he was traded for) and an RBI double in the eighth that sparked a Mets comeback. He also displayed his defensive prowess with an outfield assist, throwing out a runner at home.
Soto took control of the game with a 408-foot, two-run homer in the third inning, setting the tone for the Mets. He then carried his form to the next game too, which the Mets won 5–0 thanks to an outstanding performance by David Peterson. Soto hit another homer there.
Against the Nats, Soto was on fire! The bat, which had been relatively quiet this season, seemed ready to shut down all the criticism. As of now, he has 13 home runs, 35 RBIs, and an OPS of .854 this season.
Soto is now showing why exactly the pitchers don’t like to face him. He has power, discipline, and the ability to deliver in crunch situations.
The post Juan Soto Surprisingly Snubbed by MLB Peers Before Dethroning Ohtani and Judge Where It Matters Most appeared first on EssentiallySports.