Juan Soto’s Top Statistics: What Yankees Fans Can Expect From the Superstar Slugger

Bronx fans are salivating thinking of Juan Soto wearing pinstripes, even if for just one year. While it has already been covered what the New York Yankees would look like with Soto, it’s not all sunshine and roses at Yankee Stadium. Namely, what should the fans look forward to when the slugger steps foot in the ballpark?

Soto is already on his way to a Hall-of-Fame-worthy career. And at the young age of 25, he may not have even seen his peak yet. This is a scary as well as mouthwatering prospect. But the numbers don’t lie where the former Padres slugger is concerned.

Juan Soto –  A statistical anomaly

To a non-watcher, Juan Soto’s career would certainly seem like hyperbole. He has achieved things that few manage to do at 25, like winning four Silver Sluggers and a World Series title in 2019. With 160 home runs to his name, the Dominican has now stepped foot in the Bronx.

The New York Yankees were short of left-handers last season and those that they did have performed terribly. With an OBP of 2.95, the Bronx left-handers had the worst numbers in the league. In stark contrast, Soto is nearly a league leader. His OBP+ last season was 158. The last Yankees left-hander with such an OBP was Jason Giambi in 2005. The Bombers haven’t seen a player like Soto for 18 years.

Additionally, Soto also helps in WAR. The whole of Pinstripes’ outfield last year had a WAR of 2.9, whereas Soto was at 5.5. Again, he’s in a class of his own with the only Yankees player near him being Aaron Judge with an impressive 5.3 WAR. These are elite numbers for a player who is younger than 7 of the players in the Rookie of the Year voting list this year.

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But there is one stat where a surprising result can be seen. Even though the Yankee Stadium has a short right field, Soto could suffer.

Childish Bambino’s potential home run struggle with the Yankees

In theory, the Yankee Stadium should be a heaven for left-handers and the short right field should help in home runs. But that also means that it reduces singles or doubles, which can hurt Juan Soto in even more ways.

The slugger is an all-field hitter; only 25% of his hits last season were on the right side. Add to that, some of his home runs on other sides could turn into doubles with the Yankees due to the big size of left field. So ironically his home run output may not see an increase.

All in all, it’ll be interesting to see how this trade looks on the field.

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