Former Big-Leaguer Analyzes Juan Soto’s Current Struggles

Juan Soto, the New York Mets’ star outfielder, has landed in the spotlight after what fans saw as a lack of hustle during a recent 3-1 loss to the Boston Red Sox.

Soto’s numbers are impressive—he’s been on a career-best base-stealing run over the past five games. Still, people are talking about his effort, attitude, and leadership. With the Mets fighting for playoff position in the NL East, every move Soto makes gets watched and dissected.

Juan Soto’s Controversial Hustle Debate

Juan Soto isn’t just another MLB player. At 26, he’s carrying the weight of a jaw-dropping $765 million contract spread over 15 years.

That makes him the league’s highest-paid player, and with that comes sky-high expectations. Fans want to see hustle and leadership, especially from someone meant to guide the franchise to October glory. But during the Mets’ loss to Boston, people started questioning whether Soto was truly giving his all on the field.

This talk picked up steam on MLB Network. Analyst Adam Ottavino pointed out that Soto’s spirit seems different lately, saying, “His spirit is not quite the same right now.”

Tom Verducci went into the numbers, noting that Soto isn’t running as hard as other players or as aggressively as he usually does. When you’re the face of the team, that kind of thing doesn’t go unnoticed.

Performance Data: Do the Numbers Support the Criticism?

It’s worth pausing on Soto’s recent surge in base stealing. Over his last five games, he’s swiped more bags than at any point in his career.

That shows he can still change games with his athleticism, even if some see lapses in hustle. But for a player with the richest contract in MLB history, people expect more than just stats—they want visible effort and leadership.

In New York, body language matters almost as much as the box score. Soto’s every reaction and movement gets magnified by fans and media alike.

Distraction or Motivation: What It Means for the Mets

This whole narrative arrives at a critical moment. The Mets are locked in a tight NL East race, sitting at 29-19 and just half a game behind the Phillies.

Every pitch and every play matters. The team needs Soto to deliver, not just with numbers but with the kind of presence that sparks a clubhouse down the stretch.

Now, all eyes turn to Fenway Park for the next game. Clay Holmes, who’s 5-2 with a 3.14 ERA, will start for the Mets. He’ll face Boston’s Walker Buehler (4-1, 4.28 ERA).

Matchups like this can flip a narrative fast. Maybe Soto and the Mets can use the noise as fuel, rallying around their star and getting back on track.

How Can Soto Regain Momentum?

If all this chatter about hustle starts to seep into the clubhouse, what can Soto and the Mets actually do? Here are a few thoughts:

• Visible Effort on the Field: Soto’s got to show that extra gear, especially in big moments. Fans and teammates notice when someone digs deep.
• Team Leadership: As the franchise cornerstone, he can lead both on the field and in the dugout. Sometimes, a spark from the top makes all the difference.
• Improved Demeanor: Body language isn’t everything, but it sure counts for a lot in New York. A little more visible fire could quiet a lot of critics.

At the end of the day, Soto’s talent speaks for itself. If he keeps producing, the noise will fade—performance has a funny way of shutting people up.

The Verdict: A Star Under Pressure

Juan Soto stands out as one of baseball’s most electrifying players. Of course, greatness always seems to come with a heavy dose of scrutiny.

People talk about his supposed lack of hustle, and yeah, maybe it’s a distraction right now. But with the playoffs looming, Soto has a real shot to flip the narrative in his favor.

The Mets are grinding for NL East supremacy. Fans and analysts, probably a little too closely, will watch how Soto responds—not just in the box score, but with his leadership and presence out there.

Mets fans hope Soto tunes out the noise and shows exactly why he’s worth that record-breaking deal. If he adds a little extra hustle to his already wild numbers, he might just be the spark for a serious October run.

 
Here is the source article for this story: ‘His Spirit is Not Quite the Same Right Now:’ Former Big-Leaguer Weighs in on Juan Soto