The legends of the pinstripes know how to spot greatness. When former New York Yankees star baseman Tino Martinez calls Juan Soto “one of the best I’ve ever seen,” we listen.
Martinez, no stranger to championship lineups, recently had a tête-à-tête with YES Network, dishing on Soto’s impact and the potent partnership forming between him and fellow slugger Aaron Judge. It’s a pairing that not only has Yankee fans buzzing but could send shockwaves through the entire American League. But what makes Soto so dangerous?
The former Padres’ star’s raw power is undeniable, yet Martinez offers a peek into something deeper. The former MLB coach praises the youngster’s unwavering discipline at the plate, a calculated approach unlike most power hitters. Could this be the key that propels him to new heights in his first full season with the Bombers?
USA Today via Reuters
Tino breaks down Juan Soto’s genius
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Martinez digs deep in the interview clip shared on Twitter today, praising Soto’s calculated approach: “The guy has a great game plan; he knows what he’s doing at home plate… He’s just a dangerous hitter—one of the best I’ve ever seen.” This discipline, he observes, means Soto isn’t just swinging for the fences.
His calculated approach, including a deadly two-strike adjustment, positions him to dominate opposing pitchers in numerous ways. As Tino points out, “He has a great commitment to the strike zone, and if you watch his batting practices, it’s left field-left field-left field—he’s not trying to pull the ball and just hit home runs like most guys do.” How much potential does this factor into unlocking his full power in New York alongside the All-Rise?
“A lot!” That’s Martinez’s blunt assessment of the damage the Juan Soto-Aaron Judge tandem will inflict. It’s about more than just their individual power. With the Childish Bambino’s on-base prowess ahead of Judge, pitchers face an unwinnable dilemma: give Soto a free pass or risk unleashing Judge’s historic home run potential.
This dynamic, Martinez believes, comes with a ripple effect: “When two guys like that are dangerous and they’re getting on base all the time, working the counts, the rest of the lineup kinda feeds off that, and it makes the whole lineup better, all the way through.” And the All-Rise seems to agree with that sentiment.
The impending transformative impact
Juan Soto’s consistent threat elevates the entire Yankee offense, a dynamic witnessed in his four Spring Training blasts. “It just elevates everybody’s game,” Judge himself remarked to Forbes, admiration evident in his assessment. This excitement, as history shows, can make or break a season.
It’s also a reminder that while the Yankees are enjoying the immediate power surge, Soto’s long-term future in New York is uncertain. But his numbers speak for themselves: 167 combined regular and postseason home runs since his 2018 debut. This puts Juan Soto in an elite company, especially considering his young age.
Aaron Judge, while a home run machine himself, brings a slightly different dynamic. The Bronx Bombers’ captain’s historic 2022 season cemented his place among Yankee legends. Yet, the Pinstripers’ recent struggles suggest they need more than just individual heroics. Soto’s ability to consistently get on base and hit for power adds a dimension that could revitalize the entire offense.
Tino Martinez’s insights, coupled with Soto’s electrifying start, paint a vivid picture of an offense on the rise. The Soto-Judge partnership might just be the catalyst that transforms this lineup from a collection of stars into a true force to be reckoned with. This dynamic duo has the potential to take the Yankees to new heights—and the rest of the league better take notice.
