New York Mets rally behind Juan Soto after All-Star snub
Juan Soto delivered for the Mets on Tuesday night and earned the praise of his manager and team-mates
New York Mets manager Carlos Mendoza has described Juan Soto as an “All-Star” despite the slugger being snubbed for the Midsummer Classic.
Soto was not named in the National League squad for the game on July 15 in Atlanta after a slightly underwhelming start to his Mets career.
The 26-year-old signed an MLB-record $765million contract with the team in December last year but has struggled to live up to the hype, posting an average of .269 with 21 home runs and 52 RBI, including the winning hit in last night’s 7-6 win in Baltimore.
Soto comes through pic.twitter.com/tkWkwAEdlH
— New York Mets (@Mets) July 9, 2025
Pitchers have repeatedly walked Soto this season, fearful of what he might do, and Mendoza believes that has affected his stats.
“He’s got a pretty good understanding of what the pitchers are trying to do to him,” Mendoza said. “There is his awareness of the game, he’s going to see pitchers. There are times when he’s going to be aggressive. Tonight was one of those nights. First pitch in the 10th, he’s attacking.
“He’s an All-Star for us. It’s frustrating, but I’m hoping in the next couple of days we hear something and he makes it.”
Soto cool about not playing in Atlanta
Soto has made the All-Star team in each of the last four years and is seemingly relaxed about missing out, saying at the weekend “it’s part of baseball”, but his team-mates remain perplexed.
Mets starter Clay Holmes said: “What he’s done all year is just incredible, and the results are good enough.
“The consistency he’s showed up with, and the at-bats he’s taken, is more than an All-Star. He’s one of the best in the game and a big part of our lineup.”