The New York Mets’ $765M free-agent acquisition Juan Soto and Cincinnati Reds phenom Elly De La Cruz were exposed as ordinary hitters during a pickup softball game in their native Dominican Republic.
The two All-Stars drew laughs from the crowd Saturday night for their lackluster at-bats during a Liga de la Farándula game in Santo Domingo.
Soto, who is known for his patient demeanor in the batter’s box, appeared to be in a rush and chased at high pitch in the first inning.
The slugger took a few steps down the line and gazed at the sky as the ball fell into the first baseman’s glove in foul territory before his opposing teammates mocked Soto in friendly fashion.
Soto, who walked away from the New York Yankees and joined their crosstown rival in a record $765 million, 15-year deal earlier this month, did not disappoint the next time around.
One of the players could be heard in the background imploring the pitcher to challenge Soto, who crushed the pitch over the right-field fence.
As Soto started his trot, the same player shouted, ‘That way?’
De La Cruz’s appearance at the plate matched Soto’s first at-bat for its futility.
Juan Soto, who is fresh off signing a MLB-record $765million, 15-year contract with the New York Mets, took part in a softball game in the Dominican Republic and fouled out in his first at-bat
Cincinnati Reds superstar shortstop Elly De La Cruz also made an appearance at the softball game in Santo Domingo and struck out in his first time up at the plate
Elly De La Cruz struggled to contain his laughter after he struck out in his first at-bat at the softball game on Saturday
The switch hitter, who is no stranger to crushing 450-foot plus home runs and exhibiting his speed around the bases, flailed at a pitch that was low and away from the plate to strike out.
As De La Cruz walked back to the dugout, the catcher stopped him and pointed to the dugout as the Reds superstar struggled to contain his laughter.
De La Cruz had a chance to redeem himself in another at-bat, but struck out on a pitch that was in the middle of the zone.
Soto seemed just as shocked and poked fun of De La Cruz by walking up to him and flashing two fingers.
The game took place just a day after Soto made an appearance on local radio show Grandes en los Deportes and revealed that Mets owner Steve Cohen granted him permission to play in the Dominican Professional Baseball League with the Tigres del Licey.
The plan will be for the 26-year-old to play 10 games for the winningest club in the winter league’s history – as long as he is the designated hitter.
Soto said he will not play this season, as the regular season concludes this week and the round-robin playoffs begin next week.
While he has not sat down with the Tigres del Licey, he said that the Mets are aware of his plan to play.
New York Mets prized acquisition Juan Soto at his press conference in Citi Field on December 12 after agreeing to a MLB-record $765million contract for 15 years
Elly De La Cruz hits a single at the All-Star Game at Globe Life Field in July
With the World Baseball Classic set to be played in 2026 one month before the start of the regular season, he could suit up with the Dominican club next winter as a tune-up.
During the interview, Soto also debunked rumors that one of the reasons he decided to join the Mets was because the Yankees security staff did not treat his family well.
‘It’s all false. It’s all false. There are going to be a lot of things that come out to the public,’ he said.
‘These are things that are going to happen. People are going to talk and say things but it is something that had not happened. All of that is false. My family was treated very well. The organization was 1A with me.’
