Juan Soto

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Washington Nationals #2 prospect in 2018
  Soto signed for $1.5 million in 2015, won the MVP award in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League in 2016 and advanced to low Class A Hagerstown in 2017. He was limited to just 32 games, however, after fracturing his ankle, breaking a hamate bone and dealing with a hamstring injury late in the year. Soto impressed evaluators with his advanced feel at the plate. He made adjustments within at-bats and displayed impressive hand-eye coordination that should allow him to be an above-average hitter. While he's still growing into it, Soto should have above-average power, and he has a chance to hit 20-plus homers a year thanks to strong hands and a simple swing. He is just an average runner, and profiles as a corner outfielder because of that, which limits his ceiling and will put additional pressure on his bat--his best tool. He currently has fringe-average arm strength that is better suited to left field than right, but he uses his legs efficiently on throws and is young enough to safely project an average arm as he continues to mature. Soto is ready for high Class A Potomac in 2018, but given his injury-shortened 2017 season, Washington could opt to be conservative and start him in Hagerstown.
• 
  Ranked Washington Nationals #3 prospect in 2017
  The Nationals established a new franchise bonus record for an international teen when they signed Soto for $1.5 million in 2015, though it wsa shattered a year later in their international spending spree. He skipped the Dominican Summer League in 2016 to make made his pro debut as a 17-year-old in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League, where he won MVP honors after leading the circuit in batting (.361) and slugging (.550) and ranking second in on-base percentage (.410). He earned a late-season promotion to short-season Auburn and continued to succeed against older competition. Soto ranked No. 13 in the 2015 international class largely because of his hitting ability, which translated well to pro ball. He is an advanced hitter for his age, showing a feel for the barrel and good pitch-recognition skills. He has a short, easy, lefthanded swing and uses the whole field to hit. He makes good adjustments at the plate thanks to his impressive understanding of hitting. His power is still developing, and he could have above-average pop by the time he is done physically maturing. Soto has average speed and arm strength, and he profiles in right field. Soto earns priase for his makeup, maturity and confidence. He will play the entire 2017 season as an 18-year-old, and is probably advanced enough to handle an assignment to low Class A Hagerstown. But the Nationals could opt for a more conservative approach and send him back to Auburn, where he would still be one of the youngest players in the league.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked Florida Complex League #3 prospect in 2016
  Soto was one of the best hitters on the international market in 2015, which is why the Nationals signed him for $1.5 million. He had a spectacular pro debut, skipping the Dominican Summer League and winning MVP honors in the GCL as a 17-year-old. He led the league in batting (.361) and slugging (.550) and ranked second in on-base percentage (.410). Soto is a smart player with a high baseball IQ and an advanced hitting approach. He controls the strike zone, recognizes offspeed pitches and hits to all fields. He maintains a short, fluid stroke with a knack for being on time and squaring up all types of pitches. He earns praise for his two-strike approach, which is uncommon for his age. While Soto's power has increased since he signed, he focuses on hitting first and power second, though both his future hitting and power tools could be above-average. Soto's value is tied into his bat. He's not a liability in right field, but he's a fringe-average runner with around an average arm, with mixed reviews on his outfield routes.

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #56 prospect in 2018

• December, 2017 Scouting Report
  Track Record: Soto signed for $1.5 million in 2015, won the MVP award in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League in 2016 and advanced to low Class A Hagerstown in 2017. He was limited to just 32 games, however, after fracturing his ankle, breaking a hamate bone and dealing with a hamstring injury late in the year. Scouting Report: Soto impressed evaluators with his advanced feel at the plate. He made adjustments within at-bats and displayed impressive hand-eye coordination that should allow him to be an above-average hitter. While he's still growing into it, Soto should have above-average power, thanks to strong hands and a simple swing. He is just an average runner, and profiles as a corner outfielder because of that, which put additional pressure on his bat--his best tool. He currently has fringe-average arm strength that is better suited to left field than right, but he uses his legs efficiently on throws and is young enough to safely project an average arm as he continues to mature. The Future: Soto is ready for high Class A Potomac in 2018, but given his injury-shortened 2017 season, Washington could opt to be conservative and start him in Hagerstown.
• December, 2016 Scouting Report
  Background: The Nationals established a new franchise bonus record for an international teen when they signed Soto for $1.5 million in 2015. He skipped the Dominican Summer League in 2016 to make his pro debut as a 17-year-old in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League, where he won MVP honors after leading the circuit in batting (.361) and slugging (.550) and ranking second in on-base percentage (.410). He earned a late-season promotion to short-season Auburn and continued to succeed against older competition. Scouting Report: Soto ranked No. 13 in the 2015 international class largely because of his hitting ability, which translated well to pro ball. He is an advanced hitter for his age, showing a feel for the barrel and good pitch-recognition skills. He has a short, easy, lefthanded swing and uses the whole field to hit. His power is still developing, and he could have above-average pop by the time he is done physically maturing. Soto has average speed and arm strength, and he profiles well in right field. The Future: Soto will play the entire 2017 season as an 18-year-old, and is probably advanced enough to handle an assignment to low Class A Hagerstown. But the Nationals could opt for a more conservative approach and send him back to Auburn, where he would still be one of the youngest players in the league.