The thing about Juan Soto is that he makes elite hitting look boring. It’s almost a curse. He stands in the box, does that weird little shuffle, stares down the pitcher like they owe him money, and then takes a pitch three inches off the plate for ball four.
He’s the only guy in the league who can have a "bad" year while still leading the world in walks.
Honestly, we’ve reached a point where we take the Juan Soto career stats for granted. We see a .400 on-base percentage and just shrug. But if you actually look at the numbers through the end of the 2025 season, what he’s doing isn't just "good." It’s historically offensive. He just finished his first year with the New York Mets after signing that mind-numbing $765 million contract, and the data suggests he might actually be underpaid.
The 2025 Surge and the "New" Soto
Last year was wild. Soto didn't just walk; he ran. Literally.
For years, the knock on Soto was that he was a "clogger" on the basepaths. Then 2025 happened. He put up a career-high 38 stolen bases. To put that in perspective, he had 57 steals in his entire career combined before that season. He paired that speed with 43 home runs, joining the elite 30/30 club while maintaining that signature eye.
Check out the raw production from his 2025 campaign:
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- Games: 160
- Home Runs: 43
- Stolen Bases: 38
- Batting Average: .263
- On-Base Percentage: .396
- OPS: .921
His average dipped a bit—mostly due to a weird stretch in July where he couldn't find a hole in the shift—but his 160 OPS+ means he was still 60% better than the average big leaguer. That's the floor for this guy. Even when he’s "struggling," he’s better than your team’s best hitter.
Why the Walks Actually Matter
People love home runs. I get it. But Soto’s real value is his refusal to get out.
Through 2025, Soto has amassed 896 walks in just eight seasons. He’s 27 years old. For context, most players don't hit that mark in their entire careers. He’s currently on a trajectory that puts him in the same room as Ted Williams and Barry Bonds. Not "Soto-is-pretty-good" comparisons—actual, statistical "this guy is a reincarnation of Teddy Ballgame" comparisons.
He led the NL in walks again in 2025 with 127. It was the fourth time he’s topped the league in that category. When you look at the Juan Soto career stats through 1,096 games, you see 1,086 hits and nearly 900 walks. He basically has a 1:1 ratio of hits to walks, which is a stat from a bygone era of black-and-white television and baggy wool uniforms.
The Career Milestone Tracker (Through 2025)
He’s piling up the hardware and the milestones faster than we can track them.
- Hits: 1,086
- Home Runs: 244
- RBIs: 697
- Career OBP: .417
- Silver Sluggers: 6 (Consecutive from 2020-2025)
The $765 Million Elephant in the Room
When Steve Cohen dropped the bag for Soto in December 2024, people lost their minds. $765 million over 15 years. No deferrals. Just straight cash.
The deal includes an opt-out after the 2029 season, which seems crazy until you realize he’ll only be 31 then. If he keeps putting up these numbers, he might actually opt out to get more money. The Mets have the right to negate that opt-out by bumping his salary even higher, potentially taking the total deal to $805 million.
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Is he worth it?
If you value consistency, yes. Soto has never had a season with an OPS+ below 122. Even his "down" 2022 season across Washington and San Diego resulted in a .401 OBP. He is the safest bet in professional sports because his skill set—plate discipline—doesn't age as poorly as raw athleticism or 100-mph bat speed.
Comparing Soto to the All-Time Greats
It's easy to say someone is "generational." It's harder to prove it.
But look at Soto’s age-25 season (2024) and age-26 season (2025). He’s putting up numbers that mirror Mickey Mantle and Ty Cobb. In terms of OBP+ (On-Base Percentage adjusted for era), Soto actually ranks higher than Cobb and Mantle through their first 1,000 games.
He’s not just a product of a high-scoring era. He’s outperforming his peers by a wider margin than almost anyone in history.
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One thing most people overlook is his durability. Since 2023, he has played in 162, 157, and 160 games. In an age where "load management" has crept into baseball, Soto is a throwback who wants to be in the lineup every single day. That volume is a massive part of why his career totals are skyrocketing.
Defensive Reality Check
We have to be honest: he’s not a Gold Glover.
His 2025 defensive metrics were... fine. He’s mostly moved to right field permanently, and while his arm is solid, his range is declining slightly as he fills out his 6'1", 224-pound frame. But the Mets didn't pay $765 million for his glove. They paid for the 1.000 OPS potential and the fact that he makes pitchers throw 25 pitches an inning.
What’s Next for Soto?
As we move into 2026, the focus shifts to the 300-home run mark. He’s sitting at 244. At his current pace, he’ll hit that milestone sometime in late 2026 or early 2027.
He’s also closing in on 1,000 career runs (currently 775) and 1,000 RBIs. For a guy who hasn't even hit his "prime" years (usually 27–31), these numbers are staggering.
If you’re tracking Juan Soto career stats for a fantasy league or just to argue with your buddies at the bar, keep an eye on his strikeout-to-walk ratio. In 2021, he had 145 walks to just 93 strikeouts. While his strikeouts ticked up to 137 in 2025, his ability to force deep counts remains the best in the business.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans and Collectors
- Watch the OBP, not the Average: Soto's value is tied to his .400+ OBP. If that stays high, his "value" remains elite regardless of a .260 or .270 batting average.
- Milestone Hunting: Keep an eye on the 1,000-walk mark. He’s likely to hit it in 2026. Only a handful of players have ever reached 1,000 walks before age 28.
- Card Market: Soto's 2025 30/30 season significantly boosted his "all-around player" narrative. His cards are often valued like a slugger's, but his long-term Hall of Fame trajectory is actually built on his eye.
- The Mets Factor: Playing in New York means every stat is magnified. His 2025 season proved he can handle the Queens spotlight, which was the only remaining question mark on his resume.
Soto is a baseball nerd's dream and a pitcher's nightmare. He’s building a Hall of Fame plaque one walk at a time, and we're all just lucky to watch the shuffle.