Soto doesn't have concrete answer for lack of power

When Juan Soto steps to the plate these days, he does so with one task in mind: Get on base. Don't worry about hitting a ball 450 feet somewhere. Just do whatever it takes to reach, whether via single, walk or some other mechanism.

And he's done quite well in that department, with a .396 on-base percentage that ranks among the league leaders.

"Yeah, that's what I'm trying to do," Soto said Monday during a face-to-face interview with several reporters at Nationals Park. "Like I told the guys: 'Right now, it's not a lot of homers for me. I'm just trying to get on base and let you guys drive me in.' ... Right now, that's my mindset, to just try to help the team as much as I can. Whenever I have a 'get them over,' 'get them in,' whatever, I just try to do it."

There is, of course, nothing wrong with that mindset. It has served many a quality hitter well over the decades.

But when it comes out of Soto's mouth, it does make you pause and try to remember who you're talking to. This is the guy, after all, who slugged .695 last season, a number that hadn't been achieved since Barry Bonds.

Soto's slugging percentage this season is down to .427, and that's even with the double he ripped off the wall in right-center during Monday night's 8-4 win over the Mets.

It is the subject matter everyone wants to ask about, but no one has been able to fully unlock the mystery. That includes Soto, who can't say for certain why he thinks he's struggling to this extent. All he knows is he continues to hit the ball hard. Unfortunately, too often that has come in the form of a ground ball.

And too many of those ground balls have come with a runner on first, leading to this indisputable fact: Soto is tied for the major league lead with 12 double plays grounded into, having already surpassed his total from the entire 2020 season.

"It's really tough for me, 'cause some balls I just square up, and it's going right to the ground. Like we talk with the guys: a homer on the ground. It's just tough for me. But I feel good, because I squared up the ball. I just try to put the ball in the air and do my best."

Soto hasn't consistently hit the ball in the air, especially to the pull side. He has only eight homers to his name this season, and he hasn't hit one in 81 plate appearances.

Which has raised an obvious question: Is there something physically wrong with Soto that's zapping him of his power stroke? Is the shoulder strain that sidelined him earlier in the season still affecting him in any way, especially at the plate?

"Not at all," he insisted. "Not at all. It's never been an issue for me. Like I said to the guys, the only way my shoulder hurts is when I throw. When I swing, it feels great. They think maybe, but for me personally, I don't think there's been any issues."

It should be remembered that a bad season by Soto isn't a bad season for most big leaguers. How many others wouldn't take his current .273/.396/.427 offensive slash line? He has set the bar exceptionally high for himself over the years.

But it's safe to say Soto isn't satisfied with this performance. He knows he's being counted on to produce a lot more than he has so far in 2021.

Perhaps this two-week stretch before the All-Star break will bring some clarity. Soto certainly understands the significance of this portion of the schedule.

"We've got a really good chance," he said. "We've just got to keep playing good baseball. It's like school. You go through school, and then it's exams. That's our exams. Let's see what level we are right now to go to the playoffs."

He was referring to the team as a whole. He easily could've been referring to himself, understanding these next two weeks represent something of a midterm exam for him.