Juan Soto Shines at All-Star Game, Urges Mets to 'Keep Believing'

Juan Soto, the Mets' lone All-Star representative, beams ahead of Monday's Home Run Derby, celebrating his fifth All-Star nod and first with New York. With a .967 OPS and 21 home runs, Soto is delivering a season worth celebrating amid the Mets' struggles.

What happened at the All-Star Game?

Soto, 27, will start in left field and bat second for the National League in Tuesday's All-Star Game at Citizens Bank Park. His .405 on-base percentage ranks second in the NL, and he’s hitting .290 this season. This marks his fifth All-Star appearance and his first with the Mets after last year’s snub.

'I’ve been giving my 100% on every team I’ve been part of,' Soto said. 'To be recognized with an All-Star Game, it’s really cool.'

Why it matters for Juan Soto and the Mets

The Mets, now 40-57 and 12 games out of a playoff spot, have struggled despite their $380 million payroll. Soto, who signed a 15-year, $765 million contract before the 2025 season, remains a bright spot. He acknowledges the team’s challenges but insists they can turn things around.

'I know how hard my teammates are working,' Soto said. 'They never stop. They keep grinding. We haven’t gotten to the spot we want to be, but I’ve got to keep going.'

What comes next for the Mets?

After the All-Star break, the Mets resume their season on Thursday at Citizens Bank Park against the Phillies. Soto believes the break will help the team reset.

'I feel like everybody needs a couple of days off after a tough stretch,' he said. 'To get the days off and kind of start over, I think it’s gonna be good for the guys.'

The trade deadline looms, and more veterans could follow David Peterson out of Queens. But Soto isn’t giving up hope.

'Keep believing. We’re gonna turn things around,' he said. 'We have a lot of talent, we have a lot of players that can be elite, so don’t give up on them.'