New York Yankees outfielder Juan Soto reached a milestone on Wednesday.
Soto belted a home run off of Blue Jays reliever Genesis Cabrera with one out in the top of the eighth inning. That blast was part of a 3-3 day for Soto, as he drove in two runs and had two walks in the Yankees 6-4 comeback victory.
That home run also had personal significance for Soto. When he crossed home plate, he drove in the 500th run of his career. Soto became the 21st player since 1950 to record at least 500 RBI before his 26th birthday. He turns 26 years old on October 25.
Soto is in impressive company. 10 of those players are in the Hall of Fame, with three others – Miguel Cabrera, Mike Trout and Bryce Harper – almost certain to be immortalized as well. Soto is 86 RBI away from the top 10 on that list which could ensure his Hall of Fame credentials. Ruben Sierra and Alex Rodriguez are the only players in the top 10 that have not been inducted in Cooperstown.
A three-time All-Star and part of the 2019 World Series winning Nationals, Soto has had an excellent start to his career. He has posted a .286/.423/.526 batting line in his 3,465 plate appearances entering Thursday, hitting 164 homers and 152 doubles. His run production is all the more impressive considering how often he walks, as he has led the majors in that category since 2021.
It is impossible to know what the future will hold. Soto’s career could follow the path of players such as Vada Pinson and Cesar Cedeno, solid players who peaked early. He could also follow the path of the likes of Frank Robinson and Al Kaline, steadily producing while building a Hall of Fame resume.
For now, he has joined an elite group with his latest feat.