"It's hard to believe Juan Soto is that young" - Diamondbacks manager in awe of Yankees superstar's love for baseball
Juan Soto is on the verge of potentially winning the second World Series of his tremendous MLB career. Despite only being in his seventh year in the majors, Soto has the opportunity to add to his likely Hall of Fame resume as he's just celebrating his 26th birthday on Oct. 25.
The superstar outfielder continues to prove why he is considered one of the best players in the game. Juan Soto was a force at the plate yet again this year, while also helping guide the New York Yankees to their first World Series appearance since 2009.
Despite his incredible list of accomplishments, Juan Soto has not yet even hit his athletic prime, something that hasn't gone unnoticed by players and coaches across the league. In an interview with MLB Network Radio on Friday, Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo shared his disbelief at what Soto has been capable of at such as young age.
"It's hard to believe that he's that young. He came on real quick in Washington as a 19-year-old and still has that youthful enthusiasm," Lovullo told MLB Network Radio.
While being a legitimate superstar helps a player build his reputation among fans, Juan Soto's style of play has clicked on another level with New York Yankees fans. His signature "Soto Shuffle" fires up the crowd constantly. It even became the title of a song by El Alfa.
"He plays with an energy and a passion that gives you the feeling that he is having the time of his life... At the end of the day, I think he is an unbelievable player with a great personality and it's needed inside this game," Lovullo said.
Juan Soto was acquired by the New York Yankees this past offseason in a blockbuster deal with the San Diego Padres. The Bronx Bombers also landed Trent Grisham in exchange for Kyle Higashioka, Michael King, Drew Thorpe, Jhony Brito, and Randy Vásquez. Since the move, he has more than lived up to the pressure of being a big star on a New York sports team.
"It's Broadway. You jump on that stage in New York, there's nothing bigger. I think he really really enjoyed that big moment and that big stage and took off from there," the D-Backs manager concluded.
Juan Soto's pending free agency continues to be one of the biggest headlines across the MLB
Even though the epic World Series matchup between the New York Yankees and LA Dodgers is set to begin on Friday, Soto's upcoming unrestricted free agency remains a major talking point across MLB. Given his age and ability, Soto is likely to command one of the richest contracts in baseball history, and even though the Yankees will want to re-sign him, there is no guarantee it will happen.
A number of different teams are rumored to be interested in the electric Soto. Some of the clubs most heavily linked to Soto are the San Francisco Giants and New York Mets, while the Toronto Blue Jays are also viewed as a potential landing spot.