Jose Reyes Supports Juan Soto Amid Mets Struggles
Jose Reyes, a former star shortstop for the New York Mets, has come to the defense of Juan Soto, who has faced criticism during his inaugural season with the team. Speaking to TMZ Sports, Reyes emphasized that the expectations placed on Soto, particularly given his recent performance, are unrealistic. He noted that while fans anticipate consistent home runs, it is important to recognize that Soto is human and cannot hit a home run every at-bat.
Reyes pointed out that Soto has already achieved significant milestones this season, including hitting 28 home runs and maintaining a batting average around .250. “People expect him to do a little bit better,” Reyes stated. “But for his first year, I think he’s doing good.” He believes that Soto will continue to excel and predicted he could end the season with more than 35 home runs.
Mets’ Struggles Since All-Star Break
Despite Reyes’ support for Soto, he acknowledged that the Mets as a team have struggled since the All-Star break. The team is currently competing for a Wild Card spot but has faced challenges, particularly with runners in scoring position. “They’ve been one of the worst teams in the Major League with runners in scoring position,” Reyes remarked. He stressed that this aspect of the game must improve if the Mets hope to turn their season around.
Reyes also highlighted concerns regarding the pitching staff. He noted that while the starting pitchers performed well early in the season, their recent struggles could pose a significant issue for the team. “Beginning of the season, they were doing so good. Now, they don’t do it that well, so that’s going to be a problem,” he explained.
As the regular season approaches its conclusion in October, the Mets still have time to alter their fortunes. However, with the clock ticking, the team must address its shortcomings quickly to secure a place in the postseason. Reyes remains optimistic about Soto’s future and the potential for the Mets to rebound in the coming weeks.
