After a somewhat sluggish start to his Mets career, Juan Soto delivered a monster fantasy performance on May 1, 2025, against the Arizona Diamondbacks that should have fantasy managers excited about his rest-of-season potential.
Game Breakdown
Soto finally made his mark at Citi Field on Thursday afternoon, launching his first two home runs at his new home ballpark as a member of the New York Mets. The two blasts came in a 4-2 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks, but fantasy managers were undoubtedly thrilled with Soto’s individual performance.
His first home run came in the sixth inning – a 391-foot opposite-field shot with one out off Arizona starter Zac Gallen, who had been dominating Mets hitters until that point. Soto then followed it up with a 399-foot shot to almost the same area of left-centerfield off Kevin Ginkel in the eighth inning.
Fantasy Impact
For fantasy managers who invested a first-round pick in Soto, this performance provides a significant boost across multiple categories:
- Home Runs: The two homers doubled his season total to 5
- RBIs: Soto drove in both of the Mets’ runs, increasing his season total to 14
- OPS Boost: These two extra-base hits will significantly help his slugging percentage
- Confidence Factor: May provide the spark needed to get Soto fully going in his new environment
This multi-homer game, Soto’s 24th of his career but first with the Mets at Citi Field, showcases the elite power that made him worthy of his massive 15-year, $765 million contract this past offseason.
Season Context
Prior to this breakout game, Soto had been batting .241 with four doubles, 10 walks and eight strikeouts in his first 15 home games since joining the Mets. While his plate discipline has remained elite, fantasy managers had been waiting for the power to emerge, particularly at Citi Field.
This performance brings his season batting average to approximately .250, which still leaves room for improvement given his career norms, but the power surge is an encouraging sign that Soto is beginning to get comfortable in his new surroundings.
Rest of Season Outlook
Thursday’s performance reinforces why fantasy managers drafted Soto so highly despite his change of scenery. His ability to produce even when the team struggles (the Mets lost the game and series) demonstrates his fantasy reliability.
For managers who might have been growing concerned about Soto’s relatively quiet start with the Mets, this game serves as a reminder of his immense upside. His elite batting eye combined with his power potential makes him one of the most valuable fantasy assets moving forward.
With Pete Alonso hitting behind him in the lineup, pitchers will continue to have difficult decisions about how to approach Soto, likely leading to more opportunities for fantasy production as the season progresses.
Bottom Line for Fantasy Managers
If there was ever a “buy low” window on Soto in fantasy leagues, it likely closed with this performance. Expect him to continue building momentum from this breakout game, particularly at Citi Field where he now has established himself with the home crowd.
For those who drafted him, patience is being rewarded. For those who didn’t, this game is a reminder of why Soto remains one of baseball’s elite fantasy leaders regardless of his home ballpark.
