San Diego Padres outfielder Juan Soto puts on a show every time he goes to the plate.
He has the power to hit home runs to left, center, and right field, he has contact to post a .300 batting average over the course of a full season, and he has the batting eye to discern even the hardest pitches to identify as balls or strikes.
He also chats with the catcher from time to time, interacts with the pitcher, congratulates him when he executes excellent pitches, and even dances a little bit.
On tough takes, Soto can move his hips like few other hitters in the league.
It’s actually a signature move of his.
Things might change, though, as both the pitcher and the hitter will need to work quicker starting in 2023.
The pitcher has a clock to start his motion, and the batter has one to be ready to take the pitch.
Will we see Soto shuffling after taking a pitch this year?
“Breaking: asked Juan Soto if he thinks he will have enough time to shuffle in the pitch clock era. He said yes. ‘I’m gonna start working on it…definitely going to be a little bit quicker,’” MLB insider Chelsea Janes reported.
Breaking: asked Juan Soto if he thinks he will have enough time to shuffle in the pitch clock era. He said yes.
“I’m gonna start working on it…definitely going to be a little bit quicker.”
— Chelsea Janes (@chelsea_janes) February 14, 2023
Yes!
The shuffle era won’t be ending with the pitch clock one.
That’s actually fun and good to hear.
Soto is one of the most entertaining players in the league and these type of moves and spontaneous manifestations should continue.
It makes the league fun, and it needs to be fun to reach and engage with younger audiences.
He is more than a few moves and laughs, though: he is clearly a top-ten hitter in the game and many would argue that he is top-three.
We won’t make a case against him.
