RADIO
Juan Soto 2023 Outlook: Should Thrive In First Full Season In San Diego
2 years agoJuan Soto had somewhat of a down season, at least by his lofty standards, during the 2022 season. The outfielder hit .242 with a .401 on-base percentage, 27 home runs, and six stolen bases in 664 plate appearances split between the Washington Nationals and San Diego Padres. In a vacuum, it was still a strong season, but it marked the first time Soto has hit below .280 in the Majors. Now set to spend his first full year with the Padres, Soto should find much more success in 2023 as much of his struggles may have been down to a .242 BABIP. The 23-year-old's BABIP had never dropped below the .312 mark before. And while his barrel rate (12.4%), xwOBA (.401), and hard-hit rate (47.4%) all dropped a bit from his 2021 numbers, they were still elite. All three finished in the 86th percentile or better in the league. In short, an even more productive season may be coming for Soto, who should also see an uptick in RBI opportunities. After collecting just 62 in 2022, the slugger will spend the entirety of the 2023 season hitting in a lineup that will also feature Manny Machado and Xander Bogaerts, with Fernando Tatis Jr. set to return during the 2023 season as well. Fantasy managers shouldn't think twice about drafting the former National as a top-10 pick.
