The New York Mets had an incredibly disappointing 2025 season. After entering the campaign with high expectations, they finished the 2025 season with an underwhelming 83-79 record and missed the playoffs. With this, the Mets are entering the 2026 campaign with the hope of bouncing back in a big way.
If the Mets hope to turn things around, one player that they will need a lot from is superstar slugger Juan Soto. The 27-year-old is the Mets’ best hitter and is entering the second season of his 15-year, $765 million contract with the team. Thus, there is no question that the eight-year veteran will be relied upon heavily by New York this season.
Soto certainly made an impact during his first season with the Mets, even if they missed the playoffs. In 160 games, the four-time All-Star set new career highs with 43 home runs and 38 stolen bases. He also had 105 RBIs and a .263 batting average on the year.
Now, with the 2026 season almost here, Soto has gotten a very big prediction for the upcoming campaign.
Insider Predicts That Mets’ Juan Soto Will Have First 50-Home Run Season
In a recent article for ESPN.com, MLB insider Jeff Passan did a season preview for all 30 teams. His season preview for each team featured one prediction. For the Mets, Passan undoubtedly made a bold prediction regarding Soto.
In his piece, Passan predicted that Soto will hit 50 home runs in a season for the first time in his fantastic MLB career.
“It wouldn’t surprise me if Juan Soto hits 50 home runs. While it’s a safe bet that he won’t book 38 steals again, Soto’s homer surge in recent years — from 27 to 35 to 41 to 43 — indicates a greater emphasis on power as he heads into his age-27 season. It’s easy to forget Soto is still young, still evolving, still figuring out the full extent of his baseball-playing powers. His greatness, at this point, is indisputable. Just how great Soto can be, and where his ample set of tools takes him, is for him to answer,” Passan wrote.
If Soto hit 50 home runs this season, it would be massive for a Mets team that is not only looking to get back into the playoffs but also prove that they can be legitimate contenders. Soto has hit over 40 home runs in each of the last two seasons, so the possibility of him hitting 50 home runs this campaign should not be ruled out if he stays healthy and consistent.
Soto Would Join Rare Mets Company With 50-Home Run Season
If Soto were to successfully have a 50-home run season, it would put him in rare company. At the time of this writing, Pete Alonso is the only player in Mets history to hit at least 50 home runs in a season. Alonso, who signed with the Baltimore Orioles this offseason, hit 53 home runs in 161 games for the Mets during the 2019 season.
With this, 50-home run seasons are incredibly uncommon in Mets history. As a result, it would be a big deal if Soto had a 50-home run season, and it will be fascinating to see if he can.
Mets’ Juan Soto Gets Bold Prediction Ahead of Season