Juan Soto's recent performance has showcased his remarkable defensive growth, especially during the Mets' home opener against the Blue Jays. His ability to track down a fly ball from Anthony Santander and make a crucial catch speaks volumes about his progress. Soto, initially known for his elite hitting rather than fielding, has committed to improving his defense under the guidance of Mets' outfield coordinator Antoan Richardson. Despite previous struggles, including a -16 OAA, Richardson sees potential in Soto to become one of the league's elite defenders.

With a solid support system in the outfield, including fellow outfielders Jose Siri and Tyrone Taylor, Soto has the opportunity to flourish. His recent shift to right field, taking over from the injury-prone Starling Marte, has also been noted positively. The Mets are optimistic about Soto's defensive development, evident in his improvement in defensive metrics and his proactive approach to learning and applying feedback. With his youth on his side, the Mets have high hopes that Soto will continue to enhance his defensive skills throughout his long-term contract.