Most players fuel their game with the highs of hype and adrenaline. But Juan Soto? His secret weapon is staying calm. Time and time again, he has entered the field with such unshakable confidence, which sets him apart as a transformative figure within his franchise. That rare, unmatched confidence is exactly what drew a scout’s attention when Soto was just 16. Fast forward to the present day, that poise still helps him to this day—when he landed a $765 million contract.

Throwback to 2015, the day when Nationals scouts Johnny DiPuglia and GM Mike Rizzo finalized the amateur signing of a lifetime, Soto wasn’t even a full-time hitter yet. In fact, he was juggling, switching from a soft-tossing pitcher to a regular slugger. Interestingly, DiPuglia found his swing “intriguing” that time. So, definitely it wasn’t his bat speed or power that caught their attention. So, want to know what really drew their attention?

It was his calm and composed self that was completely unfazed. For a 16-year-old, it was a rare trait. But it was just enough for them to sign him for $1.5 million. And look at him today, signing a staggering $765 million contract. It’s admirable how his one trait won the scouts over.

Adding to that belief, take Mets’ 3-1 win over the Astros when he launched his first home run with his new team. Post-game, when he was asked about his first home run, he admitted how nice it is to get the first one out of the way. He didn’t flinch and said, “No,” when he was asked if he felt any pressure.

Yeah, he’s one of the best in the game, but his mindset is what sets him apart. The same mindset that won over DiPuglia and Rizzo for $1.5 million at just 16. And today, with his $765 million contract still making headlines, it’s fair to mention that his trait is pure magic.

Yankees fans rooting for the Astros? Juan Soto’s Mets debut has them in shambles

At Daikin Park in Houston, Juan Soto’s home run as a Met also turns out to be a full-blown meltdown among Yankees fans. Indeed, the Mets’ fans truly roared when Soto hit his first home run against the Astros, with the scoreboard displaying a 2-0 lead in the third inning. Juan Soto didn’t even take his eyes off the ball. It looked like everything in the background blurred for him. He stared at it as it soared over the fence. Interestingly, that’s not even the real shocker.

The real shocker is that some Yankees fans cheered for the Astros just to downsize Soto’s success. Meanwhile, Soto’s secret weapon of staying composed didn’t shake him, witnessing it. His decade-long poise helped him to just focus on one goal: to thrive in his debut as a Met.

In the 2024 season, Soto shattered a record-breaking 41 home runs wearing a Yankees jersey, which made him their offensive star. Over the five full seasons of his career, he has incredibly averaged 33 each year. And now, being a Met with the biggest contract in MLB history, some Yankees fans came across as brushing off his impact by celebrating Astros highlights.

All things considered, even the Yankees aren’t struggling without Soto. Well, undoubtedly his bat was a game-changer for the Yankees, but they’ve still kept winning. Even with endless injury setbacks, they’re still somehow thriving. The Mets-Yankees rivalry is nothing new, but this move has stirred things to another level. And if Soto’s Mets’ debut is any hint, this is just the beginning of endless home runs.