Padres News: Bob Melvin Highlights Juan Soto’s Spring Success As A Sneak Peak
When the San Diego Padres added star outfielder Juan Soto last August, it was widely regarded as one of the biggest and most impactful trades in recent seasons. Soto has been establishing himself among the elite talent in the MLB and the Friars parted ways with a handful of young talent to get him. At the time, they were barely clinging to life thanks to heroic play from Manny Machado and waned to get him some help.
Help certainly arrived in Soto but fans weren't blown away by his performances, especially as the season finished up. He did have some big plays in that key series against the Dodgers but his OPS was down to a .727. Many were wondering where was the guy that had just been named an All-Star and won the Home Run Derby.
However, it is much easier said than done to adjust to an entire new system on a team looking to contend. With a whole offseason under him, Soto came into camp ready to perform and has been elite when stepping up to the plate in Spring training. Bob Melvin couldn't help but rave about his statistics in a media session with '97.3 The Fan.'
"We've said all along, starting here fresh, new season, Spring Training, being around this group... you're gonna start to see what Juan Soto's all about. The back of his baseball card doesn't lie."
Outside of his numbers jumping back up this Spring, Soto has had a great attitude heading into the year. Despite him being the lone star on the team without an extension just yet, he was more than happy to see teammate Manny Machado receive his. San Diego is in the midst of building a championship culture and Soto seems to want to be a part of it.
