Have the Mets made Juan Soto a five-tool player?

Aaron Doster-Imagn ImagesBack on May 10, had anyone told any Mets fans that Juan Soto, then batting .233 with only eight home runs and a .771 OPS, would have a 30-30 campaign, they would have been sent to Bellevue for observation. Even with a full turnaround, Soto had never swiped more than 12 bags in a season, once each in 2019 and 2023.

Today, though the Mets are clinging to the final NL Wild Card spot, Juan Soto has turned in a pretty good first year in Flushing. He’s still batting a modest .261, but has 38 homers and 94 RBI to go with his 30 stolen bases. Soto also leads the National League in on-base percentage (OBP) and MLB in walks.

All in all, he’s had a season very much expected of…