Mets' Juan Soto Has Been One Of MLB's Best Despite Injuries

The New York Mets may not be making the postseason in 2026, which is just as disappointing as their collapse last year, but there are still some aspects of the season that can be celebrated.

One of those aspects is how the Mets outfield is set up for the foreseeable future. Rookies Carson Benge and A.J. Ewing have been phenomenal for New York, who are worth 2.5 WAR and 2.4 WAR respectively, playing well both offensively and defensively.

Benge leads the team with a .274 batting average, .335 on-base percentage, 62 runs scored and 18 stolen bases. He has a great arm in right field and has graded like a top 15 right fielder in his first season.

Most of Ewing’s value comes from his defense in center field, but his .330 OBP is among the team leaders, while being second in stolen bases (15) and tied for second in doubles (16).

But the biggest component of New York’s promising outfield is left fielder Juan Soto, who has been on the injured list for the last few weeks with a left calf strain. Appearing in only 84 games, Soto has had an incredible offensive season and leads the team with 21 home runs, 63 walks and 2.7 WAR.

He doesn’t qualify, but Soto would be the NL leader in OPS (.947), OBP (.408) and his .539 slugging percentage would be tied for fifth-best in the NL and 10th in Major League Baseball. Despite spending an extended time on the shelf, Soto was ranked No. 35 on ESPN’s top 50 players list for this season up to this point.

“Soto has been the best hitter in the NL this season when healthy -- emphasis on the ‘when healthy,’” Jorge Castillo wrote Thursday. “He paces the league with a .408 OBP and 159 wRC+ among hitters with at least 350 plate appearances.

“He has said he wants to return this season, but a timetable remains unclear.”

Soto has resumed light baseball activity, but nothing major. He was stretching and doing some running at Citi Field on Friday, but with postseason baseball not in the cards this season, it would make sense for Soto to be shut down if he’s not close to returning soon.

He’s one of the best hitters on the planet and is just 27-years-old. Soto signed a massive deal to be with the Mets through 2039, and with his outfield counterparts debuting this season, they won’t be free agents until 2032.

The future is bright for the Mets if it can capitalize on their outfield talent.