Outfielder Juan Soto Is On Pace For Yet Another Record That Puts Him In Elite Company
The New York Mets have a record-setting outfielder in Juan Soto, and this season his walk total could set a new one.
Outfielder Juan Soto is constantly setting records for the New York Mets, but some go well beyond franchise landmarks. He's also had some that are pretty unusual, especially the record that will be well within Soto’s reach as the 2026 season gets underway on Thursday. According to Sarah Langs of MLB.
com , Soto could get to a career total of 1,000 walks which would give him the most ever before the age of 29. Langs listed Soto’s possible achievement as one of ten career milestones that could happen in 2026, and he’s got a solid shot given that he’s had at least 127 walks in each season since the start of 2021. Soto currently has 896 walks, which is the record for both 27- and 28-year olds.
(Soto is currently 27, and he’ll turn 28 in October. The current record for most walks before the age of 29 is held by Mickey Mantle, who had 1,003. The list of players in the top five on this particular record list also includes Ted Williams, Babe Ruth and Frank Thomas, so Soto is in good company here.
Soto has also played 1,096 games in his career, which means he has the durability to do it. This isn’t exactly a record the Mets want Soto to set so quickly, however. When first baseman Pete Alonso left in free agency to join the Baltimore Orioles, both the media and the fan base went into a typical panic that included predictions that Soto might walk 200 times this season.