Padres News: Juan Soto Joins Exclusive All-Time Company After Latest Feat

Soto continues to make a name for himself.

One of the best young players in Major League Baseball today, Juan Soto continues to separate himself from the rest of the league.

Soto's home run in the Padres' 12-5 win over the Cincinnati Reds, was the 140th in his 5-and-a-half-year-long career. With his over 500 career walks, Soto joins baseball legends Ted Williams and Frank Thomas as the only three players in MLB history to hit 140 home runs and at least 500 walks.

Juan Soto in some elite company 🔥 pic.twitter.com/lAUGaJ3M8Z

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) July 1, 2023

Time for a quick history lesson:

Williams is regarded as one of the best baseball players of all time, while keeping in mind that he played from 1939-60. His career OBP of .482 is still the best in major league history.

Thomas, or "the Big Hurt", is considered one of the greatest designated hitters of all time and held a .300 batting average for an MLB-record seven consecutive seasons.

Now, Soto joins two baseball greats as the 24-year-old outfielder has had a monster start to his young career. This season, Soto is hitting over .270 with an on-base percentage over .420, adding 15 home runs while being the most-walked player in baseball this year by a lot.

After signing just a one-year deal with the Padres, Soto is set to sign a huge contract in free agency. The only question is, with whom?

Whichever team signs Soto to a likely $400 million dollar-plus contract in the offseason will be getting one of the best batters in the league, and because of his young age, they'll be getting a player in the middle of his prime.

Will Soto's legacy ever catch those of Williams or Thomas? Lucky us, because we get to see for ourselves.