PORT ST. LUCIE, Florida. – At 27 years old, Dominican Juan Soto already boasts a resume with merits sufficient to project him towards the Hall of Fame. However, there is a goal he has yet to conquer: the Most Valuable Player award.
You may be interested in😛Pablo López will undergo Tommy John surgery and will miss the 2026 season
In eight seasons in the Major Leagues, Soto has finished six times among the top 10 in the MVP voting, including a second place in 2021 in the National League, the year Bryce Harper took the award. Since then, the biggest obstacle in his path has had a first and last name: Shohei Ohtani.
The Japanese phenomenon, now a figure for the Los Angeles Dodgers, has won the award in both seasons since his arrival in the National League and has four MVP trophies in his career, three of them in campaigns in which he also started at least 14 games as a pitcher. His ability as a two-way player makes him an annual contender for the recognition.
Soto, aware of the challenge, does not shy away from the competition.
“I’m going to be there every year too,” the slugger affirmed. “He better keep doing what he’s doing, because I’m coming for him.”
Although he can’t contribute from the mound, the outfielder has proven to be one of the most complete hitters in baseball. Last season he hit 43 home runs, stole 38 bases, led the league in walks and on-base percentage, and recorded an OPS of .921. In addition, he topped the National League in steals, incorporating base running as a new strength in his game.
Soto assures that his goal is to continue evolving, both offensively and defensively. He aspires to raise his batting average, maintain his power, and improve in the outfield, with the intention of placing himself at the level of historical references such as Albert Pujols, Alex Rodriguez, Barry Bonds, and his former teammate Aaron Judge.
“When you see seasons like the ones players have had in the past, you tell yourself that you have to be up there to be one of the greatest,” he expressed.
Beyond the sports rivalry, Soto expressed respect for Ohtani, but made it clear that the MVP is a personal and national goal. If he achieves it, he would become the first Dominican to win the award since 2009.
“It would be something very special, not only for me, but for the Dominican Republic. Having another player from the island named MVP would be something big,” he concluded.
With a guaranteed contract in the National League until 2033, Soto knows the battle will be constant. And he is determined to fight it every season. Source: MLB.
