New York Yankees star right fielder Juan Soto is soaking in the love he's receiving from fans to begin his career in pinstripes.
The 25-year-old lefty has put on an incredible display of heroics through the team's first 20 games of the season, and Friday night was the latest display of that.
After rallying to take a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the seventh thanks to some errors from the Tampa Bay Rays and an RBI single from Anthony Volpe, it was time for Soto to continue his magic.
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Parking a 92-mile-per-hour belt-high fastball into the second deck of the right field seats, Soto infused Yankee Stadium with a playoff-like atmosphere.
“It’s just great,” Soto said after the 5-3 win. “Like I’ve said before, we feel like family right now. We really stick together, and they really enjoy my success.”
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Soto's monster blast was magical. The uproar and celebration from his teammates was even better. Gerrit Cole was shaking his head with jubilation, howling into the night. Aaron Judge immediately starting shouting some NSFW phrases of support as Soto watched his ball fly into the seats.
Then Yankees fans showered Soto with M-V-P! chants.
“I think it’s way too early,” Soto said laughing. “But it feels great, definitely. They just support me every day, day in and day out. It just feels amazing.”
Few players have come in and immediately produced at the level Soto has to be a Yankees career. In fact, only one other player (Glenallen Hill) has at least five home runs and 20 RBI within his first 20 games in pinstripes.
For Yankees starter Clarke Schmidt, he endorses the notion of giving Soto a blank check in free agency.
“Sign the dotted line, however much he wants,” said Schmidt. “It’s like he always comes through. It’s very rare to see a player of that caliber.”
If Soto collects an MVP award, it's only going to drive his price up more in free agency. But for now, he's simply enjoying the success.
