Career Timeline of Juan Soto: Major Achievements and Milestones

How Juan Soto built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Juan Soto is a professional baseball outfielder currently playing for the New York Mets. Previously, he played for the Washington Nationals, San Diego Padres, and New York Yankees. A highly decorated player, Soto has earned recognition as a six-time Silver Slugger Award winner and a four-time All-Star, establishing himself as one of the premier outfielders in Major League Baseball.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

May 1987: Darryl Strawberry's Record

In June 2025, Juan Soto joined Darryl Strawberry (May 1987) as the only Mets to produce a calendar month with at least 10 homers and 20 walks.

1987: Howard Johnson and Darryl Strawberry 30-30 record

In 2025, Juan Soto and teammate Francisco Lindor became the third set of teammates in MLB history to ever go 30–30 in the same season, joining Howard Johnson and Darryl Strawberry (1987).

1996: Dante Bichette and Ellis Burks 30-30 record

In 2025, Juan Soto and teammate Francisco Lindor became the third set of teammates in MLB history to ever go 30–30 in the same season, joining Dante Bichette and Ellis Burks (1996).

2000: Anticipated Meeting Since 2000 World Series

Juan Soto made his first return to Yankee Stadium since signing with the Mets on May 16. His return to the Stadium was described on ESPN.com as "perhaps the most anticipated meeting between the clubs since the 2000 World Series."

2009: Yankees Last World Series Appearance

The 2024 World Series was the first World Series for the Yankees since 2009.

July 2015: Signed with Washington Nationals

In July 2015, Juan Soto signed with the Washington Nationals as an international free agent for a $1.5 million signing bonus.

2015: Signed with the Nationals

In 2015, Juan Soto signed with the Washington Nationals as an international free agent.

September 2016: Promotion to Auburn Doubledays

In September 2016, Juan Soto was promoted to the Auburn Doubledays of the Class A-Short Season New York-Penn League.

July 2017: Ranked as Nationals' second-best prospect

In July 2017, MLB Pipeline ranked Juan Soto the Nationals' second-best prospect and the 42nd-best among all prospects.

May 20, 2018: Major League Debut

On May 20, 2018, Juan Soto made his major-league debut, becoming the youngest player in the major leagues at 19 years, 207 days.

2018: MLB All-Star Team selection

After the 2018 season, Juan Soto was selected to the MLB All-Star Team for the 2018 MLB Japan All-Star Series.

2018: MLB debut

In 2018, Juan Soto made his Major League Baseball (MLB) debut and was the runner-up for the National League (NL) Rookie of the Year Award.

2018: Teenage MLB Records and Rookie of the Year runner-up

In 2018, Juan Soto slashed .292/.406/.517 with 79 walks, 22 home runs, and 70 RBIs in 494 plate appearances and was the youngest player in the NL. He was named the NL Rookie of the Month in June, July, and September, and set many MLB teenage records during the season, including the most walks by a teenager (79), most multi-homer games by a teenager (3), highest OBP by a teenager (.406), and highest OPS by a teenager (.923). He finished second in voting for NL Rookie of the Year.

2018: Call-up to major leagues

In 2018, Juan Soto started the season with Hagerstown and was later promoted to the Potomac Nationals and then to the Harrisburg Senators before being called up to the major leagues on May 20.

2019: World Series championship

In 2019, Juan Soto played a key part in the Nationals' first World Series championship, earning him the Babe Ruth Award.

2019: World Series Win and Babe Ruth Award

In 2019, the Nationals won the World Series. Soto batted .333/.438/.741 with 3 home runs and 7 RBIs in the World Series and was named the co-winner (with Stephen Strasburg) of the 2019 Babe Ruth Award. He was also named to the All-MLB Second Team.

2020: Home Run Distribution in 2020

At the conclusion of the 2020 season, Juan Soto had hit 69 career home runs in MLB and divided them evenly by direction: 23 to left field, 23 to center field, and 23 to right field.

2020: National League batting title

In 2020, Juan Soto won the National League batting title with a .351 average.

2020: Shift to Right Field

Late in the 2020 season, the Nationals began deploying Juan Soto as their starting right fielder.

April 6, 2021: Walk-off single

On April 6, 2021, Soto hit a walk-off single off Will Smith of the Atlanta Braves for his first career walk-off hit.

2021: Everyday Right Fielder

In 2021, Juan Soto became the Nationals' everyday right fielder.

2021: Donation to Dominican Athletes

In 2021, Juan Soto donated $200,000 to Dominican athletes participating in that year's Summer Olympics.

2021: Contract Extension Offer

Prior to the 2021–22 MLB lockout, the Nationals offered Soto a 13-year, $350 million contract extension which he declined.

March 22, 2022: Contract Agreement with Nationals

On March 22, 2022, Juan Soto agreed to a $17.1 million contract with the Nationals, avoiding arbitration.

August 2, 2022: Trade to the Padres

On August 2, 2022, the Nationals traded Juan Soto and Josh Bell to the San Diego Padres.

2022: Padres season and NLCS appearance

After being traded to the Padres, for the remainder of the 2022 season Juan Soto played 51 games with the team. He reached the 2022 NLCS with the Padres, hitting two home runs in the series as they lost in five games to the Philadelphia Phillies.

2022: Traded to the Padres

At the 2022 trade deadline, Juan Soto was traded to the San Diego Padres.

2022: Rejection of Contract Extension

During the 2022 season, Juan Soto reportedly rejected a 15-year, $440 million contract extension offer by the Nationals.

2022: 2022 Season Performance

In 2022, Juan Soto played a total of 152 games with a .242 batting average, 27 home runs, 62 RBIs, and led MLB with 135 walks. Soto also topped the major leagues with a 20.3% walk rate and a 1.41 walk/strikeout rate. He also swung at a lower percentage of pitches outside the strike zone (19.9%) than any other major league batter in 2022.

2022: All-Star Game and Home Run Derby Win

In 2022, Juan Soto was named to the MLB All-Star Game and also participated in the 2022 MLB Home Run Derby, which he won.

January 13, 2023: Soto Signs with Padres

On January 13, 2023, Juan Soto signed a one-year, $23 million contract with the Padres, thus avoiding salary arbitration.

December 6, 2023: Soto Traded to Yankees

On December 6, 2023, the Padres traded Juan Soto and Trent Grisham to the New York Yankees for Michael King, Drew Thorpe, Jhony Brito, Randy Vásquez, and Kyle Higashioka.

2023: Traded to the Yankees

Following the 2023 season, Juan Soto was dealt to the New York Yankees.

2023: World Baseball Classic Performance

In 2023, Juan Soto played for the Dominican Republic national team in the World Baseball Classic, leading or tying for the team lead in multiple offensive categories.

December 11, 2024: Soto Signs Record-Breaking Contract with Mets

On December 11, 2024, Juan Soto signed a 15-year, $765 million contract with the New York Mets, the largest contract in professional sports history.

2024: Plate Discipline Stats

At the conclusion of the 2024 season, Soto is known for his exceptional plate discipline, ranking 5th all-time in walk rate and 17th all-time in career on-base percentage among hitters with at least 4,000 plate appearances.

2024: 2024 Season Performance

In 2024, Juan Soto finished the season batting .288/.419/.569 with 41 home runs and 109 RBIs, and was second in MLB in walks with 129.

2024: AL Player of the Week and All-Star Selection

In 2024, Juan Soto was named AL Player of the Week for the second time following a week of excellent performance, and he was also selected as a starting outfielder for the American League in the 2024 MLB All-Star Game.

2024: Signed with the Mets

In 2024, after becoming a free agent for the first time in his career, Juan Soto signed a 15-year, $765 million contract with the New York Mets in the offseason, the largest contract in professional sports history.

2024: American League Championship Series and World Series Appearance

On October 19, 2024, Juan Soto hit a three-run homer in Game 5 of the American League Championship Series, propelling the Yankees to the World Series. Soto finished the 2024 postseason batting .327/.469/1.102 with 4 homers and 9 RBIs in 14 games.

2024: Soto Agrees to Contract with Yankees

Prior to the start of the 2024 season, Juan Soto and the Yankees avoided salary arbitration, agreeing to a one-year contract worth $31 million.

March 28, 2025: First Home Run as a Met

On March 28, 2025, Juan Soto hit his first home run as a Met, a solo shot off of Houston Astros pitcher Hunter Brown, securing a 3–1 victory for the Mets.

2025: 2025 Season Performance and Silver Slugger Award

In 2025, Juan Soto finished the season batting .263/.396/.525 with a career-high 43 home runs and 105 RBI. He led the National League in OBP and stolen bases and won his sixth career Silver Slugger award, becoming the second player in MLB history after Mike Hampton to win one three consecutive years with three different teams.

2025: Joins the 30-30 Club

On September 9, 2025, Juan Soto joined the 30–30 club after stealing his 30th base of the season. He became the first player in 2025, and the fifth Met in history, to finish a season with at least 30 home runs and 30 stolen bases.