Juan Soto Struggles Mark Worst 50-Game Start for Mets Star

Juan Soto, the New York Mets' star outfielder and highest-paid player in baseball history, has struggled significantly in the early part of the 2025 season, posting one of the worst starts of his career with a .236 batting average, eight home runs, and a .786 OPS. Mets fans have expressed their frustration vocally, resulting in noticeable boos during games, though critics argue this negativity could worsen Soto's performance rather than help it. While bad luck, including bizarre plays like being called out for passing a baserunner, has contributed to his struggles, analysts point to concerning changes in his batted-ball profile, such as an increased ground ball rate and a decreased pulled fly ball rate, which have impacted his offensive production. Despite these setbacks, Soto's overall metrics indicate he is still hitting hard and drawing walks, with some signs of improvement emerging. Meanwhile, his former team, the Washington Nationals, continue to suffer from the fallout of trading Soto in 2022, with criticism directed at ownership's lack of investment and poor player development hindering their competitiveness. The Mets and their fans remain hopeful that Soto can overcome this slump and fulfill the high expectations tied to his record-breaking contract.