Juan Soto’s recent comments about his time with the Yankees, particularly about hitting in the lineup with Aaron Judge, have stirred up some controversy. In an interview with the New York Post, Soto reflected on how having Judge batting behind him last year made his life easier at the plate. He pointed out that pitchers were more aggressive with him because they didn’t want to face Judge next, leading to more pitches in the strike zone and fewer intentional walks.
Now with the Mets, Soto is noticing a shift in how pitchers approach him. Without Judge behind him, he’s seeing fewer good pitches and has had to adjust to a different offensive environment. Though he may not have intended to insult anyone, his comments didn’t go over well with fans of either New York team.
Michael Kay, a Yankees broadcaster, didn’t hold back in reacting to Soto’s statements. He questioned why Soto would make such a comment, especially since Mets fans have generally been supportive, even though Soto has had a somewhat slow start to the season.
Soto’s statistical comparison between this season and last seems to support his point. As of mid-April, he’s drawn two intentional walks over 18 games with the Mets, the same number he had across 157 games last season with the Yankees. Additionally, he’s seeing fewer pitches in the strike zone this season—43.2%, down from 46.5% last year.
Some view Soto’s comments as a slight toward Pete Alonso, his new teammate batting behind him. While Soto may have just been stating facts, it’s easy to interpret his words as favoring Judge over Alonso, which hasn’t sat well with fans or commentators.
However, Alonso is off to a strong start this season. His OPS+ of 227 is actually better than Judge’s 223 from last season. This suggests that despite Alonso’s hot start, pitchers still prefer to work around Soto, possibly indicating how much respect—or fear—he commands at the plate.
Kay noted that for Mets fans, the comments might come across as more than just praise for a former teammate. They might feel like Soto is longing for the Yankees or disrespecting his current team. While Soto may not have meant it that way, the reaction shows how easily words can be misinterpreted in a passionate sports city like New York.
Comparing stats, Judge had an MVP-level 2024 season with a .322 batting average, 6 home runs, and 20 RBIs by this time last year. Alonso’s numbers this year—.240 average, 5 home runs, and 21 RBIs—are not far behind, showing he’s capable of offering strong lineup protection for Soto.
Soto’s current stats with the Mets—.250 batting average, 3 home runs, 7 RBIs, and an .859 OPS as of April 16—suggest he’s adjusting, even if he hasn’t fully hit his stride. His recent two-run homer against the Twins on April 14 was a highlight and a potential sign of things to come.
If Alonso continues his strong play, pitchers may no longer be able to avoid challenging Soto, which could open things up for him even more. As the Mets lineup continues to gel, the narrative could shift quickly, and Soto may soon find the rhythm he had with the Yankees.