Juan Soto Thrives After World Baseball Classic, Ready for Mets’ 2026 Season

Juan Soto made his return to the Mets lineup on Thursday after a two-week stint representing the Dominican Republic in this year’s World Baseball Classic. The slugger expressed his excitement about the experience, which he described as “one of the best experiences” of his career, despite Team DR’s semifinal loss to the USA. Soto was pulled from the game during the Mets’ 6-2 victory over the Astros, but his enthusiasm for the tournament was evident.

“I feel really good right now,” Soto shared. “My body, everything feels good. I feel like my swing is in a good spot to start the season. I cannot be more prepared.” His time in the WBC proved to be a pivotal moment as he transitioned back to the Mets, especially after struggling earlier in spring training, where he managed just 2-for-12 with a single extra-base hit across five games.

During the World Baseball Classic, Soto’s performance improved significantly, finishing with a .261 batting average, going 6-for-23 in six games, including two home runs, four RBIs, five walks, and a stolen base. Although he went 0-for-2 with a walk and a run scored on Thursday, he reflected fondly on his time spent with fellow Dominican stars. Soto emphasized the value of the camaraderie and the wisdom shared among teammates and coaches during the tournament.

“It’s an experience that I recommend to anyone who has a chance to play,” Soto noted. “When you leave for those two weeks, it’s incredible. It helps my game. We had David Ortiz, Pedro Martinez, Albert Pujols, Placido Polanco, [Fernando] Tatis Sr. – we have guys that played this game for so long and they gave us so much advice that can help me with my game. I cannot ask for more.”

In his inaugural season with the Mets, Soto delivered one of the best performances of his career, posting a .263 batting average, .396 on-base percentage, and a .525 slugging percentage, culminating in a career-high 43 home runs and 105 RBIs. He also set a personal record with 38 stolen bases. As Soto steps into his second year in Flushing, he is eager to elevate his game further and lead the Mets back to the postseason.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.