WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — One morning in March, in the deepest back corner of the Washington Nationals’ spring training clubhouse, Juan Soto sat alone, holding a bat. And if the metaphor’s too subtle, consider that, in past years, as the wall clocks ticked past 8 a.m., Soto would have been surrounded by Trea Turner, Ryan Zimmerman, Adam Eaton and Howie Kendrick, allowing him to feel as though he’s still a rookie despite being the best on Earth at gaining the 90 feet between home and first.
Juan Soto and the evolution of pressure
Juan Soto begins the 2022 season as one of baseball’s brightest stars. He’s trying not to act like it.