The San Diego Padres shocked the baseball world with an all-in trade deadline that was headlined by the acquisition of 23-year-old superstar Juan Soto in an enormous, blockbuster trade with the Washington Nationals (the Padres also acquired Josh Bell in the deal). And on Tuesday night, Soto hit his first home run with the Padres.
In the bottom of the fourth inning, Soto crushed an offering from the San Francisco Giants’ Alex Cobb well beyond the right-field wall for a game-tying homer. Padres fans at Petco Park went bonkers.
Juan Soto homered. #TimeToShine pic.twitter.com/PsU2Kipmtf
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) August 10, 2022
So(to) smooth. pic.twitter.com/1gVGlOQwzd
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) August 10, 2022
All 👏 of 👏 this 👏 pic.twitter.com/6zHy0xBALS
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) August 10, 2022
You're not wrong, @JackBox… you're not wrong. https://t.co/avB8f9SeCS pic.twitter.com/eNalt0fG8n
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) August 10, 2022
The game is currently in the bottom of the seventh inning, and Soto has also doubled and walked.
The Padres have actually been slumping since acquiring Soto, Bell, Brandon Drury, and Josh Hader. They entered Tuesday night with an MLB-worst five-game losing streak.
Soto’s homer even ended a 26-inning scoreless streak for San Diego.
Juan Soto did not walk. He homered. The Padres' scoreless streak ended after 26 innings.
— Dennis Lin (@dennistlin) August 10, 2022
But the talent should lead to much better results over time, and there’s no doubt that Soto in particular will put up massive numbers.
On the season, Soto has a .253/.414/.497 slash line with 22 homers and a 155 wRC+. He entered Tuesday with an absolutely absurd .291/.428/.537 slash line and 119 home runs in 2,464 plate appearances. Again, we’re talking about a 23-year-old.
Here’s a look at how the baseball world is reacting to Soto’s first dinger as a member of the Padres:
Figured Juan Soto was due, so I took video … and oh my. pic.twitter.com/k6iNdbn4eO
— John Shea (@JohnSheaHey) August 10, 2022
JUAN SOTO BREAKS THE SCORELESS STREAK WITH HIS FIRST HOMER IN PADRES PINSTRIPES
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) August 10, 2022
Juan Soto thought he had walked. The pitch was called a strike.
He hit the next pitch 395 feet for his first home run with the Padres.
Padres have scored for the first time in 27 innings.— Kevin Acee (@sdutKevinAcee) August 10, 2022
Juan Soto now has 120 career home runs, tied with Andruw Jones for 10th-most by a player before 24
— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) August 10, 2022
Most games reaching base 3+ times before turning 24, since at least 1901:
Ted Williams: 209
Mel Ott: 193
Juan Soto: 159
Buddy Lewis: 159— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) August 10, 2022
If Juan Soto bats .364/.500/.682 for the duration of his Padres tenure, that might help clean up some of the offensive issues.
— AJ Cassavell (@AJCassavell) August 10, 2022
So far tonight, Juan Soto (Padres) and Fernando Tatis, Jr. (Missions) are 4 for 4 with two doubles, a triple, a home run, and 4 walks.
— Ben Higgins (@BenHigginsSD) August 10, 2022
