Mets Manager Carlos Mendoza on Juan Soto's Fantastic Year and Team Performances

Juan Soto's Exceptional Season

• 💡 Manager Carlos Mendoza highlighted Juan Soto's consistent personality and preparation throughout the season, even during tough stretches.
• 🎯 Soto's impact on the team and his unbelievable performance, including his 42nd home run, a new career high, were praised.
• 🔑 Mendoza described Soto as a complete package at the plate, possessing excellent strike zone control, bat-to-ball skills, power to all fields, and the ability to hit both righties and lefties.

Pitching Performances: Sproat and Helsey

• ⚡ Brandon Sproat showed "nasty" stuff in his first two innings, effectively using his breaking ball (sweeper, curveball) and sinker for strikes and swing-and-misses.
• ⚠️ Despite losing control in the third inning and a defensive miscue, Mendoza considered Sproat's outing positive, noting his aggressive management due to the game situation.
• ✅ Ryan Helsey is returning to form, with an effective slider getting chases and swing-and-misses, and an effective fastball, proving crucial in high-leverage situations.

Team Dynamics and Player Mentality

• 💬 Mendoza emphasized the importance of Francisco Lindor's all-around game, noting that when Lindor performs well at the plate and on the bases, the team thrives.
• 🧠 Regarding DJ Stewart's defensive errors, Mendoza's message was to keep his head up and continue competing, stressing the importance of not getting discouraged by mistakes.
• 🛠️ Drew Smith (Raley) was lauded as a "total pro" for his versatility in the bullpen, being used frequently across multiple innings despite coming off Tommy John surgery, providing a valuable luxury for the team.