Juan Soto’s Love for Call of Duty and His High Hopes for the 2025 MLB Season
There’s nothing like the thrill of taking down opponents in a video game, and for many, Call of Duty (COD) delivers that excitement. The game has an enormous fanbase worldwide, and among its many enthusiasts is none other than Juan Soto, one of MLB’s biggest stars. As one of the highest-paid players in baseball, the New York Mets slugger has now drawn attention not just for his performance on the field but also for his gaming skills.
However, it’s not just about playing COD—his involvement comes as the franchise reintroduces the beloved Verdansk map, a nostalgic favorite for long-time players. Fans have been eagerly awaiting its return, and Soto is just as excited as anyone else. But while he enjoys gaming, his primary focus remains on baseball, and with 2025 underway, his ultimate goal is to make a deep postseason run and potentially secure his first MVP award.
The Return of Verdansk and Soto’s Enthusiasm for COD
For those unfamiliar, Verdansk, the highly popular Battle Royale map from Call of Duty: Warzone, is making its long-awaited return next month. The map first debuted in 2020 but was removed in December 2021 when it was replaced by Caldera alongside the launch of Call of Duty: Vanguard. Now, nearly three and a half years later, it is set to make a comeback with the arrival of Season 3 of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6.
Juan Soto is among those excited for its return. He recently shared a clip on Instagram, showcasing his enthusiasm for COD while interacting with his Mets teammates. Though it’s unclear how well he performed in the game, what is certain is that he was fully engaged.
Soto has long been a devoted Call of Duty player. Mariners centerfielder Julio Rodríguez, who knows Soto well, even gave him the nickname “The Cop” due to his skill in the game. With Verdansk returning, Soto’s gaming passion is reaching another level.
Balancing Baseball and Gaming: Soto’s Key Role for the Mets
While COD is a major pastime for Soto, his true calling remains on the baseball diamond. Entering the 2025 season, there are huge expectations surrounding him.
Last season, Soto had one of his best years ever, proving his value among MLB’s top hitters. According to Statcast, he finished second in the league with a .316 expected batting average (xBA), trailing only Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s .321. Additionally, his expected slugging percentage (xSLG) was .646, ranking him third behind Aaron Judge (.723) and Shohei Ohtani (.660).
Beyond his slugging ability, Soto’s on-base skills have also been elite. His expected on-base percentage (xOBP) of .444 last season was the highest in all of MLB. In fact, his xOBP was the best since 2015, the first year of the Statcast era.
Given these numbers, it’s clear that Soto brings immense value to the Mets in 2025. But with such high expectations, can he deliver an MVP-level season?
Where Will the Mets Place Soto in the Lineup?
One of the biggest questions heading into the season is where the Mets will position Soto in their batting order.
Francisco Lindor, following his outstanding 2024 season, has already secured the leadoff spot. This leaves two options for Soto: batting second or third. Historically, Soto has been more effective hitting third, with a career slash line of .288/.438/.548 in that position, compared to .268/.407/.483 when batting second. However, his success batting second with the Yankees last season indicates that he is comfortable in either role.
Regardless of his spot in the order, Mets fans are counting on Soto to lead them deep into the postseason.
Could 2025 Finally Be Soto’s MVP Season?
Despite his superior offensive numbers, Juan Soto has yet to win an MVP award. This has been a major talking point throughout his career. While he has already established himself as one of the best hitters in baseball, the MVP trophy has remained elusive.
With his power, consistency, and ability to get on base, 2025 could be his best shot yet at securing the honor. If Soto continues his dominant form and helps the Mets make a strong playoff push, he could finally add an MVP to his impressive resume.
As the season unfolds, all eyes will be on Soto, both for his contributions to the Mets and his gaming skills off the field. Whether or not his Call of Duty expertise translates into an MVP-worthy baseball season remains to be seen, but one thing is certain—he is set to be a key player for the Mets in 2025.