Juan Soto Determined to Improve Defense in 2026 Season

Juan Soto remains one of the most feared hitters in baseball, but as his career enters its prime, a familiar question lingers: can his defense ever catch up to his bat?

Let’s dig into Soto’s long-standing struggles in the outfield. We’ll look at the rare but real examples of defensive turnarounds in MLB, and why age, mindset, and some recent bright spots suggest a rebound isn’t out of the question.

Juan Soto’s Defensive Reputation

Soto’s bat gets all the love, but his glove? Not so much. Defensive metrics have consistently painted a pretty rough picture, which lines up with what scouts and fans have seen for years.

His reads off the bat and his range just haven’t matched his offensive skills. It’s a gap that’s tough to ignore.

Across his career, Soto owns a -41 Outs Above Average (OAA), which is a tough number for a guy who plays a corner outfield spot. In 2025, he finished tied for the worst defensive mark in all of Major League Baseball at -12 OAA.

Those numbers make it clear why teams are willing to live with his bat and take their chances with his glove.

Why Defensive Turnarounds Are So Rare

Defensive struggles are tricky. Range, reaction time, and instincts usually get worse with age, not better.

That’s why Soto’s situation feels like such a challenge, especially since these issues haven’t exactly come out of nowhere.

Still, baseball history does have a few stories of players who managed to change the narrative.

Precedents That Offer Hope

Some outfielders have managed to rewrite their defensive story. These examples give a little context for why Soto’s improvement, while a long shot, isn’t impossible.

Eddie Rosario and Adolis García

Eddie Rosario turned his defense around after joining a new team. He worked on his positioning and decision-making, and the effort eventually paid off.

Adolis García is a different case. He had a bad OAA season, then bounced back, probably helped by his history of strong defense and maybe some injuries that dragged him down that one year. Soto doesn’t have García’s defensive reputation, but hey, one bad season doesn’t have to be the end of the story.

Signs Soto Can Still Improve

Despite the rough career totals, Soto’s defense isn’t all doom and gloom. Early on, he showed he could hold his own in the outfield.

Positive Defensive Seasons

Soto posted a +1 OAA in 2021 and managed league-average defensive seasons in 2019 and 2024. Those years prove his floor doesn’t have to be rock bottom.

Even getting back to average would be a huge win for his team. And at just 27 years old, Soto isn’t fighting off the range loss that usually hits older outfielders.

There’s still time for improvement—not just decline.

Learning From His Own Success

Maybe the best reason for optimism comes from Soto himself. He’s already shown he can overhaul a part of his game when he puts his mind to it.

Baserunning as a Blueprint

In 2025, Soto surprised everyone by leading MLB with 38 stolen bases. Speed was never his thing, but by focusing on reads, anticipation, and timing, he turned a weakness into a real asset.

That growth wasn’t about raw athleticism—it was about refinement.

What This Means for the Mets

Soto’s made it clear—defense matters to him now. He wants to round out his game and isn’t afraid to say it.

No one’s really expecting him to transform into the National League’s top right fielder overnight. That’s just not realistic.

For the Mets, they don’t have to chase perfection. Even getting near-average defense out of Soto would be a real step forward.

That kind of improvement could tip some close games, take a load off the pitchers, and boost Soto’s value even more.

 
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