Padres News: Juan Soto Feeling Tired Amid Long Season

The 162 game grind is taking its toll.

Challenging himself to play in each game of the Padres season for 2023, superstar outfielder Juan Soto is definitely feeling the effects of the grinding MLB season in full swing this year.

Appearing in each of the Friars games this late into September, Soto admitted some feelings of fatigue after the grinding campaign in both the divisional standings and on the mental side of the field. 

“It feels a lot,” Soto said. “I’m not going to lie. Some days I wake up a little tired. Today was one of those days I feel great. (Bob Melvin) called me this morning and asked me how I feel. I told him I feel great. It’s just some days you feel like you have been playing (a lot of) games.”

via Kevin Acee, San Diego Tribune

Soto's mammoth home run into the right field bleachers on the road at Dodgers Stadium on Monday was his 29th on the season and gave the Friars a lead they wouldn't relinquish for the rest of the night. 

It's been another great year for the former National who is approaching 30 home runs for the first time since his 2019 World Series winning campaign in the Nation's Capital. 

Traded for by A.J. Preller from Washington D.C., Soto's continued penciling into Bob Melvin's lineup card have given him a rebound season compared to his first year in San Diego. 

Over a full season at Petco this year, Soto has reemerged as an All-Star and on base machine with a mark at .400 and an OPS approaching .900 in his highest mark there since 2021. 

Sure to receive some down-ballot MVP votes this year for his work in the lineup, Soto's individual achievement of staying healthy for all 162 games may take the sting out of the Padres' wholesale underwhelming campaign.