Padres News: Juan Soto's Recent Dominance Against Lefty Pitchers

He definitely has a preference here.

Juan Soto has certainly been one of the more interesting big names in baseball this season. He was the only star within the Padres' main core to enter the year without being guaranteed a long-term future with the clubhouse. Soto has entered each game with a chip on his shoulder knowing that all eyes were on him.

As a whole, these first two months have not been beautiful for  the 24-year-old as he has most notably struggled to hit the ball to both sides of the field. Through 46 games in 2023 with the Friars, he is slashing .248/.401/.478 but has been able to increase those numbers as of late. Soto has continued his infamous walking methods and still reaches the bases in a consistent manner.

And even though San Diego hasn't been winning a ton of games these past few weeks, Soto has become a much more reliable offensive option again.

Juan Soto sends one out! pic.twitter.com/4WN1DgmZpu

— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) May 21, 2023

In fact, it has specifically been lefty pitchers that Soto has been able to take deep as of late as pointed out by MLB experts.

"Soto is batting .164 against left-handed pitchers this year and has struggled against southpaws since joining the Padres last August. But he smashed a Sale fastball for a no-doubt home run to right-center field in the second inning and has hit his past two homers off frontline lefties, after notching one off the Dodgers’ Julio Urías last weekend."

(Via MLB.com)

Everybody is well-aware that the Friars will not be anything close to their full potential if Soto doesn't return to his Washington Nationals form. San Diego is dealing with a lot of issues right now including depth and Manny Machado's injury so let's hope Soto continues to find his groove.