Mets Star Juan Soto Breaks Silence on HR Derby Absence

Mets All-Star Juan Soto made a deliberate decision to forgo participation in this year’s Home Run Derby, held in Philadelphia, after much consideration during the last homestand before the All-Star break. Soto, who is the lone Mets representative for Tuesday’s Midsummer Classic, cited a desire for personal “down time” this year as the primary reason for his choice. He conveyed this decision to Newsday before a recent game against the Red Sox at Citi Field, emphasizing the thought he put into it before ultimately opting out.

Soto has a notable history with the Home Run Derby, having competed twice previously. He first appeared in 2021 and then again in 2022, where he emerged as the champion. Despite his past success and the excitement surrounding the event, the outfielder decided that taking a break was more important for him this season. This decision comes as Soto has maintained a consistent presence in the Mets’ lineup, having started 70 of the 74 games played by the team since his return from an April calf strain, assuming he was in Sunday's starting lineup.

A common concern among some baseball players is that the rigorous swinging required in the Home Run Derby can disrupt their natural swing mechanics for subsequent games following the All-Star break. However, Soto indicated that this has never been a personal worry for him. He stated that he doesn’t believe it significantly messes with his swing and, in fact, has felt it made him a better player. He acknowledged that every player is unique, possessing different mentalities and mindsets when approaching the Derby.

Reflecting on his past performances, Soto’s statistics show varied outcomes post-Derby. In 2021, the year of his first Derby appearance, he had hit 11 home runs before the All-Star break but then went on to hit 18 more in 72 games afterward, finishing second in the National League MVP voting behind Bryce Harper. In contrast, during his winning year in 2022, he entered the break with 20 home runs but hit only seven in the games that followed.

In other Mets organizational news, righthander Matt Seelinger will continue his tenure with the team. The 31-year-old Long Islander, a 10-year minor league veteran from Clarke High and Division III Farmingdale State, recently made his Major League Baseball debut during the Mets’ 16-12 loss to the Royals. Following this appearance, Seelinger was outrighted to Triple-A Syracuse, indicating his continued role within the Mets' minor league system.