Outfielder Juan Soto is an NL MVP Finalist for the second time in his career. Soto received the honor Monday after he had a dominant first season with the New York Mets. He became the first player in franchise history to hit more than 40 home runs and steal over 30 bases. In the process, Soto recorded his career high in both figures. He is competing for the coveted award against Shohei Ohtani and Kyle Schwarber.
A two-time NL MVP Finalist
Soto was a 2021 NL MVP finalist when he played for the Washington Nationals. That season the outfielder hit 29 home runs, 95 RBI and 20 doubles with a 7.3 WAR. Despite the impressive season, Bryce Harper won the award.
Soto was an AL MVP finalist last season with the New York Yankees. In 576 at-bats, he hit 41 home runs, 109 RBI and 31 doubles. Soto had a 7.9 WAR and a .288 average, which wasn’t enough to win the award. His former teammate, Aaron Judge, was last season’s AL MVP. Despite the prior success, Soto has never won an AL or NL MVP. However, he has a World Series title, five Silver Sluggers, an NL Batting Title and four All-Star team selections.
Career Year With Mets
Since joining the Mets on a record-setting 15-year, $765 million deal, things have fallen into place for Soto. His start to the season was slow, but he began to pick up as the year progressed. For example, he hit five home runs and 15 RBI in June. By August, Soto had a .277 average, .574 slugging percentage and a 1.009 OPS. He ended his first season in Queens with 43 home runs, 105 RBI, 20 doubles and 38 stolen bases.
The impressive statistics make him an NL MVP finalist. The award will be given out on November 13 during a live broadcast on MLB Network from The Chelsea at The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas.
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