Last Night in Baseball: Juan Soto Reached 1,000 Career Hits Faster Than Most
There is always baseball happening — almost too much baseball for one person to handle themselves.
That's why we're here to help, though, by sifting through the previous days' games, and figuring out what you missed, but shouldn't have. Here are all the best moments from last night in Major League Baseball: Soto gets to 1,000 career hits, and fast
No, no, that doesn't mean Juan Soto ran to first base quickly to secure career hit no. 1,000. Rather, the Mets' slugger got to 1,000 career hits at a historic rate: he's still just 26 years old, and per MLB research he's one of just 84 to ever manage the feat before turning 27. Consider this: out of the 23,508 players to ever suit up in an MLB game, just 1,342 have reached the 1,000-hit mark at any point in their career. That's just 5.7% of all players, and Soto is now categorized within a 6% slice of that smaller group.
What's truly mind-blowing, however, is that Soto has achieved this with this kind of speed while being one of the premier patient players in the game. Soto has 830 career walks (and 17 hit by pitches) to go along with his 1,000 hits — he's been on base 1,847 times already, and he won't turn 27 until it's World Series time.
You might need additional context to understand just how impressive that is, but don't worry, you're about to get some: Soto is on base, by way of a hit or a walk or a hit by pitch, every 2.393 plate appearances. Among the top-100 players in career times on base, Ted Williams' rate of reaching base is tops, at 2.077. That might seem way off from where Soto sits, but as far as rank goes, it's not: Soto's mark would fit in at 10th all-time, between Hall of Famers Frank Thomas (2.386) and Edgar Martinez (2.397), and immediately ahead of a bunch of other Hall of Famers like Tris Speaker, Stan Musial, Wade Boggs, and Todd Helton. You're in some damn good company when the only players ahead of you on the list are Williams, Babe Ruth, Barry Bonds, Lou Gehrig, Jimmie Foxx, Rogers Hornsby, Ty Cobb, Mickey Mantle, and Thomas.
Now, Soto is still just 26, and all of those guys played for years and years beyond that — and at a high level — which is how they all got into Cooperstown in the first place. But the point here is to make you aware of just how good Soto has been to this point, and how much more of it all there still could be to come. A whole lot can happen for Soto between now and when he's at the end of his record contract with the Mets, but chances are good that much of it is going to involve getting on base more regularly than most players in the history of baseball have managed.
As for the Mets as a whole in Thursday's game? A less impressive 7-1 loss to the Braves, who secured the series sweep and pushed the Mets' losing streak to six. What a week for Buxton
On Wednesday, Byron Buxton led things off with a home run. Which was the day after Buxton had robbed a homer and then hit his own to the same spot in the next inning. And on Thursday, he kept it all going. First, with another leadoff homer to put the Twins on the board…
…and then with a second long ball later, because why not?
Buxton is now up to .280/.343/.555 on the season, with 15 homers, 27 extra-base hits overall and 12 steals without being caught once. He's also still a quality defensive center fielder at age 31 — Buxton is a hell of a player. Which is an easy enough thing to forget sometimes, given the injuries that have plagued him, but he was one of the most exciting prospects to come around in some time over a decade ago, and seasons like the one he's having in 2025 are a good reminder of why that was. The Yankees won!
And that matters to Yankees fans, sure, but something much more important happened in their series finale against the Angels besides the final score. And it's whatever this play was.
Nolan Schanuel drove a ball back up the middle, and it hit the glove of pitcher Jonathan Loaisiga. It didn't just strike it, though, but knocked it right off of his hand, and the ball just kept going. Not as far as it would have without that obstacle, however, which allowed second baseman DJ LeMahieu to rush in, field it and throw to first for the out. Crow-Armstrong makes a little history
Pete Crow-Armstrong went deep for the 20th time in 2025, which made him a 20 homers an d20 steals player for the first time in his career. And early in the season, too. Real, real early. Per MLB researcher Sarah Langs, Crow-Armstrong reached 20/20
In 1987, Eric Davis managed it faster than anyone — in just 46 games — if you've ever wondered why people still talk about him nearly 40 years later as someone who could have been an all-time great if not for injuries. Everyone else who has reached 20/20 with historic speed has done so in far more games: Jose Canseco in 1998 (68) games, Fernando Tatis Jr. in 2021 (71 games) and now Crow-Armstrong through 73 games, tying him with Ken Williams' 1922. Caglianone's first MLB homer… and second!
The Royals called up power-hitting prospect Jac Caglianone a few weeks back, but he hadn't done much of anything to distinguish himself to this point — he entered play on Thursday batting all of .196/.212/.235, after mashing to the tune of .322/.389/.593 across first-time trips to Double- and Triple-A through the first 50 games of the season.
Caglianone finally hit a home run — his first in the majors — on Thursday.
How to celebrate your first career big-league dinger? By hitting your second career big-league dinger , of course. Caglianone's line still isn't something to look at in awe by any means, but we're talking about a 22-year-old in his first weeks of action in the majors, who only got to Double-A for the first time this spring before getting the call. That he has four extra-base hits in 14 games is something of a miracle, considering — we'll have to see if he can keep building on this as a turning point for his rookie season. Dodgers-Padres benches clear
You know your rivalry is serious when the managers end up both getting ejected after a " tense back-and-forth exchange ". Things got real heated during the series conclusion between the Padres and Dodgers, which San Diego managed to win as far as the scoreboard goes. Word on the condition of Fernando Tatis Jr.'s hand, which was struck by a pitch and necessitated x-rays, is the final word on that one, though.
Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account , and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily! FOLLOW Follow your favorites to personalize your FOX Sports experience Juan Soto New York Mets Major League Baseball
recommended
Get more from Major League Baseball Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
36 minutes ago
- USA Today
First-year coaches to reach College World Series finals: Coastal Carolina's Kevin Schnall latest
When No. 13 Coastal Carolina upset No. 4 Auburn in the Auburn Super Regional to return to the College World Series for the second time in program history, Chanticleers coach Kevin Schnall made a statement that soon became viral: His team was no Cinderella. "This is not a Cinderella story. We're one of the most premier, most successful college baseball programs in the entire country," Schnall said then. That statement from Schnall couldn't be closer to the truth, as the Chanticleers have continued to be the hottest team in the country in Omaha by going a perfect 3-0 to return to their second-ever CWS championship series. REQUIRED READING: College World Series bracket: Scores, schedule, teams, times, TV channel for CWS In his first season taking over at his alma mater for his former college coach and boss, Gary Gilmore, the 48-year-old Schnall has led Coastal Carolina on a historic run while associating his name with a select handful of first-year college baseball coaches. "It really hasn't hit me yet. I'll be honest. I'm still trying to digest that game. I know we're going to the World Series finals, and whoever wins two out of three brings home a national championship," Schnall said after Coastal Carolina's CWS semifinal win on leading his alma mater to the finals in his first season. He added: "No, it hasn't really hit me yet because one of my, maybe, flaws is I'm rarely satisfied. This is satisfying, but I'm not satisfied yet." That historic run continues at 7 p.m. ET on June 21 at Charles Schwab Field Omaha when Schnall manages his first CWS championship game as a head coach against No. 6 LSU. Here's what you need to know about first-year head coaches who have reached the College World Series and the College World Series championship: Who was the last first-year college baseball coach that made the College World Series finals? Before Schnall helped Coastal Carolina punch its ticket back to the College World Series championship series, the last first-year coach to reach the final was Jay Johnson in 2016, when the now-LSU coach was coaching at Arizona. That trip to the 2016 CWS championship for Johnson came against Coastal Carolina. After taking a 1-0 lead against the Chanticleers, Johnson's Wildcats lost the next two games to lose the best-of-three series. History of first-year college baseball coaches in CWS Overseeing the only remaining team unbeaten in the 2025 NCAA baseball tournament, Schnall is the seventh head coach to lead his first team at a school to Omaha since the NCAA Tournament expanded in 1999. He is believed to be the fourth head coach to lead his team to the CWS in his first year as a college baseball head coach. Coastal Carolina says, Schnall is the sixth head coach to reach the CWS championship series in his first season with a school in tournament history. A series win vs. LSU would make Schnall the first among his five former predecessors to win the whole tournament in his first season. Here's a list of head coaches who have led their respective programs to the College World Series in Year 1 since 1999, per ESPN and the NCAA Baseball X (formerly Twitter) account: Record at CWS in parentheses Kevin Schnall Coastal Carolina record Schnall has posted a 56-11 record in his first season leading his alma mater. Coastal Carolina's 56 wins this season led all Division I college baseball programs this year, plus set a program record for most wins in a single season. The 2025 CWS championship series is the second time that Schnall will coach in the final round of the CWS. He was an assistant coach on Coastal Carolina's 2016 national championship team. Here's a game-by-game breakdown of how Schnall has led Coastal Carolina to the 2025 College World Series championship series:
Yahoo
38 minutes ago
- Yahoo
JT Realmuto, Nick Castellanos accomplish an insane base running feat vs. Mets
The post JT Realmuto, Nick Castellanos accomplish an insane base running feat vs. Mets appeared first on ClutchPoints. The Philadelphia Phillies opened a critical three-game series against the New York Mets Friday with first place in the NL East on the line. The teams were tied with identical 45-30 records at the start of the day. But the Phillies scored a big victory over New York, powered in part by Nick Castellanos, who's played with renewed energy after being benched by manager Rob Thomson earlier this week. And the veteran right fielder teamed up with J.T. Realmuto to pull off a wild base running feat. With the score tied 2-2 entering the bottom of the seventh inning, the Phillies broke the game open, batting around and scoring six runs. But the final two runs of the inning were a sight to behold. Second baseman Bryson Stott came up with the bases loaded and delivered a three-run double off the wall in left. Alec Bohm easily scored from third. But Realmuto showed off some serious speed, scoring from first and nearly passing Castellanos, who was heading home from second. Realmuto was right behind Castellanos as the pair rounded third and approached home plate. They then both slid and beat the tag, almost simultaneously adding two runs to the scoreboard and putting the Phillies up 8-2. Castellanos added a two-run homer in the eighth inning to put Philadelphia up 10-2. He hammered a 96 mph four-seamer from Justin Garza 428 feet to center for his eighth bomb of the season. The deep shot capped off a three-hit, three-RBI game for the two-time All-Star, as Castellanos has responded to his benching with clutch performances. Earlier in the month, Castellanos made his 231st consecutive start for the Phillies. The iron man feat gave him the longest streak for the franchise since Pete Rose nearly 40 years ago. Unfortunately, some choice words for Thomson led to the 13th-year veteran getting benched, which ended his consecutive games played streak. Still, Castellanos and the Phillies are playing with renewed purpose of late. A slump at the beginning of June allowed the Mets to take over first place in the NL East as the Phillies lost nine of 10 games. However, since then, the team has turned things around. Philadelphia has now won three straight games and nine of the last 11. With the victory over the Mets Friday, the Phillies recaptured sole possession of first place in the division. Related: Phillies' Bryce Harper takes key step in injury rehab Related: Phillies' Nick Castellanos breaks silence after recent benching
New York Times
44 minutes ago
- New York Times
Brandon Marsh is ‘locked in right now' for the Phillies: ‘It's the best feeling'
PHILADELPHIA — Moments before the Philadelphia Phillies scored two runs in a straight-from-a-movie play at the plate, Trea Turner found Brandon Marsh in the dugout. He had forgotten to tell him something earlier in the week. The six-run inning in a win that catapulted Philadelphia back to first place will be remembered for J.T. Realmuto drafting Nick Castellanos as they scampered home together and scored in succession like synchronized swimmers, but Marsh started the whole thing. Advertisement He saw a 2-2 fastball down the middle at 98 mph, and he was a little late. But he drove it to the opposite field for a double, his third hit of the night, to begin the seventh inning. Marsh wasn't there long; Turner doubled to score him. The Phillies soon cruised to a 10-2 win over the New York Mets. That's the two for one special — Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) June 21, 2025 As they piled on the runs, Turner remembered what he had wanted to tell Marsh. 'I meant to tell you this the other day, but just keep doing what you're doing,' Turner said. 'You look really good. At-bats have been unbelievable.' Now, after the fact, Turner shook his head. 'I mean,' he said, 'you look up and he's hitting .250 with a .350 on-base, and I'm like, 'Oh, my God.'' It's jarring, considering where Marsh was recently. He slogged through a hitless streak of 31 at-bats in April. He was hurt, then unremarkable to begin May. His playing time was sporadic. His play in center field was (and still is) not as good as the Phillies expected. Still, he's giving them something. It is all the Phillies have ever wanted from whoever is playing in center field, a position that often feels as if it's cursed for this franchise. But in June, Phillies center fielders have a .788 OPS. Most of that is Marsh. He is hitting .400/.450/.543 in 40 plate appearances. A small sample. Since the beginning of May, it's .333/.400/.440 in 95 plate appearances. He has not always hit for power, but he's doing something. Turner, as the leadoff hitter, has a good view from the on-deck circle whenever Marsh is batting. 'He's hitting the ball the other way really, really well,' Turner said. 'He hit some balls in Miami that he got out on. I mean, like, man, they're such good swings. Just feels so consistent. He takes his walks. He's still pulling the ball at times, too. It looks really good right now. I think that makes a huge difference, especially in the nine-hole, and getting on base for whoever's after him. I think it's big.' Advertisement The Phillies have outfield decisions to make in the next 40 days; all indications are the club will be most aggressive in pursuing bullpen depth. It could shop again for a capable right-handed platoon bat, but center field is such a barren position across the sport. The Phillies' best chance — just as it was in 2023 and 2024 — is from within. They held firm on their center fielders, Marsh and Johan Rojas, at both trade deadlines. If Marsh keeps producing, they'll probably do that again this season. 'He's locked in right now,' Phillies manager Rob Thomson said. It wasn't just the double that sparked the seventh-inning rally. Marsh batted in the fourth inning with two outs and runners on first and third. The Phillies had just taken the lead, and New York went to its only lefty reliever, José Castillo, to face Marsh. Marsh fell behind 0-2. He poked a slider below the strike zone into shallow left field for a run-scoring single. It was his first 0-2 hit against a lefty since April 2, 2024. Marsh reached first base and looked to the sky. The previous day in Miami, Marsh had gone 0-for-3 with three hard-hit outs. One went 375 feet, another 365 feet. Nothing. 'I was just like, 'OK, I feel a bloop coming here pretty soon,'' Marsh said. 'And that was just like the thank you to the baseball gods.' He was rewarded. 'Don't press too much and blow up over three good at-bats when you get nothing to show for it,' Marsh said. 'Kept the head up and smiled all the way back here to Philly today.' That mindset, Turner said, is something Marsh deserves praise for following. There will be more ups and downs in the summertime, but Marsh went through some of the lowest lows he's had in the majors to begin the season. It never really felt like he had emerged from it until the last few weeks when he became pickier at the plate. The walks came, and then he started using the opposite field. His best friend on the team, Alec Bohm, has emerged from a similar slow beginning to the season. Advertisement 'I don't know enough credit is given to him and Bohm from where they were two months ago,' Turner said, 'and how much everyone hated them and wanted them out of here to how good they've been.' It's why Turner wanted to deliver his message to Marsh in the dugout. 'That's encouraging, you know?' Marsh said. 'That's really cool, someone like that, who players like myself look up to, saying something like that's pretty cool.' There was something almost cathartic about the seventh inning. It does not atone for how the Mets brushed aside the Phillies in last October's National League Division Series. But erasing a five-game deficit in the standings over 10 days counts for something. The ballpark was filled. It was muggy. Realmuto slapped Castellanos on the butt after the home-plate umpire issued a rare double-safe signal. Everyone laughed about the play. They had fun. Especially Marsh. 'It's awesome,' he said. 'It's the best feeling, especially against a good team like that in the division. We're just going to keep feeding off each other, and that's what we did. We needed it.'
