MLB’s first 30-30 player this season is New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto.
The 26-year-old reached this milestone by stealing 30 bases and hitting 30 home runs during his first season in Queens. During Tuesday’s 9-3 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies, he recorded his 30th stolen base by stealing third during the eighth inning.
“Obviously, this is a guy that you can trust with the decision-making,” manager Carlos Mendoza said when asked about Soto stealing third. “It’s a big deal for him getting to 30, but if you ask him, he’s not about his own stats. He’s about winning.”
His latest career achievement came after he hit an RBI single to score Jose Siri, who hit a double. Soto reached second from a single by Pete Alonso.
The All-Star outfielder recorded his 38th home run during Sunday’s 3-2 loss to the Cincinnati Reds. This put him in a firm position to become the first 30-30 player this season.
“Definitely, a lot of hard work was put in since the beginning of the season,” Soto told reporters during a postgame interview. “(First base coach Antoan Richardson) has done an unbelievable job. He’s been helping me since day. He’s the one who put me in this situation and spot to do what I’ve done.”
The other Mets who have had 30-30 seasons are Darryl Strawberry, Francisco Lindor, and Howard Johnson. Johnson did it three times throughout his 14-year MLB career.
Soto Stole 12 Bases Before Becoming First 30-30 Player
In 2019 and 2023, Soto stole 12 bases, which was his previous career high. But after signing a record-breaking 15-year, $765 million contract with the Mets, he worked heavily on improving his base running skills.
According to The Athletic, he mastered stealing bases by taking big jumps, which was taught to him by Richardson, the Mets’ first-base coach. Soto lacks speed because, according to Statcast, he ranks in the bottom 15 % of the major league.
But this hasn’t stopped him from stealing bases more aggressively. He has stolen a base three times across the past five games.
Soto Is on Pace for a 40-30 Season
Soto is two home runs shy of becoming the first MLB player to reach the 40-30 mark this season. If the outfielder does so, he will become the first player in the Mets franchise history to do so.
Strawberry came close to reaching the career milestone in 1987, but was a home run shy of 40. The Mets play Philadelphia on Wednesday and Thursday, meaning Soto can hit 40 home runs in the next two days.
New York has 17 games remaining, with eight on the road and nine at Citi Field. Wednesday’s game between the Mets and Phillies starts at 6:45 p.m. Eastern.
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