Is Juan Soto the Next San Diego Padres Rookie of the Year?

The San Diego Padres Have a History of Developing Rookie of the Year Award Winners

The San Diego Padres have a long and storied history of developing Rookie of the Year Award winners, with five previous winners wearing a Padres uniform in their first year.

The most recent winner was outfielder Ryne Sandberg in 1984, but other notable winners include Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn in 1984 and Trevor Hoffman in 1998.

Could Juan Soto Be the Next?

The Padres are hoping that outfielder Juan Soto can be the next in line to win the Rookie of the Year Award. Soto is one of the most highly touted prospects in baseball, and he has already shown flashes of his potential in the minor leagues.

In 2022, Soto hit .313 with 29 home runs and 110 RBIs in 134 games for the Double-A San Antonio Missions. He also stole 23 bases and had an OPS of .994.

Soto is expected to make his Major League debut with the Padres in 2023, and he is a strong candidate to win the Rookie of the Year Award.

What Makes Soto a Strong Candidate for Rookie of the Year?

• Elite Batting Skills: Soto is a switch-hitter with excellent contact skills and the ability to hit for power. He has a career batting average of .313 in the minor leagues, and he has hit at least 20 home runs in each of the past three seasons.
• Defensive Versatility: Soto is a natural outfielder, but he can also play first base and third base. This versatility gives him a chance to contribute to the Padres in a variety of ways.
• Strong Arm: Soto has a strong arm, which could make him a valuable asset in the outfield. He can make strong throws to home plate and has the ability to gun down runners at second base.

Soto's Competition for Rookie of the Year

Soto will face some stiff competition for the Rookie of the Year Award in 2023. Some of the other top contenders include:

• Bobby Witt Jr., Kansas City Royals: Witt is a shortstop who is considered one of the best prospects in baseball. He hit .290 with 23 home runs and 83 RBIs in 123 games for the Triple-A Omaha Storm Chasers in 2022.
• Julio Rodriguez, Seattle Mariners: Rodriguez is an outfielder who had a breakout season in 2022, hitting .284 with 28 home runs and 75 RBIs in 132 games for the Mariners.
• Spencer Strider, Atlanta Braves: Strider is a pitcher who had a strong rookie season in 2022, going 11-6 with a 3.16 ERA in 31 starts.

Soto Has a Good Chance to Win Rookie of the Year

Soto is a talented player with a bright future. He has all the tools to be a successful Major League player, and he could be the next San Diego Padres player to win the Rookie of the Year Award.