Wild moments Mets $765M superstar Juan Soto and Reds’ Elly De La Cruz are humbled at Dominican softball game
The New York Mets’ $765 million free-agent acquisition Juan Soto and Cincinnati Reds phenom Elly De La Cruz were exposed as regular hitters during a pick-up softball game in their native Dominican Republic.
The two All-Stars drew laughter from the crowd on Saturday night for their lackluster batting during a Liga de la Farándula match in Santo Domingo.
Soto, known for his patient attitude in the batter’s box, appeared to be in a hurry and chased with a high pitch in the first inning.
The slugger took a few steps down the line and stared at the sky as the ball fell into the first baseman’s glove in foul territory before his opposing teammates gently mocked Soto.
Soto, who walked away from the New York Yankees earlier this month to join their crosstown rival in a record $765 million, 15-year contract, didn’t disappoint the next time around.
One of the players could be heard in the background pleading with the pitcher to challenge Soto, who crashed the pitch over the right-field fence.
As Soto began his trot, the same player shouted, “That way?”
De La Cruz’s performance at the plate matched Soto’s first at-bat due to its uselessness.
Juan Soto, who just signed an MLB-record $765 million, 15-year contract with the New York Mets, took part in a softball game in the Dominican Republic and hit a foul ball in his first at-bat
Cincinnati Reds superstar shortstop Elly De La Cruz also made an appearance at the softball game in Santo Domingo, striking out in his first time at the plate
Elly De La Cruz struggled to contain his laughter after striking out in his first at-bat at the softball game on Saturday
The switch hitter, who is no stranger to crushing 450-foot-plus home runs and displaying his speed around the bases, flapped on a pitch that was low and away from the plate to strike out.
As De La Cruz walked back to the dugout, the catcher stopped him and pointed toward the dugout as the Reds superstar struggled to contain his laughter.
De La Cruz had a chance to redeem himself in another at-bat, but struck out on a pitch that was in the middle of the zone.
Soto seemed just as shocked and poked fun at De La Cruz by walking up to him and flashing two fingers.
The match took place just a day after Soto appeared on the local radio show Grandes en los Deportes and revealed that Mets owner Steve Cohen had given him permission to play in the Dominican Professional Baseball League with the Tigres del Licey.
The plan is for the 26-year-old to play 10 games for the winningest club in winter league history, as long as he is the designated hitter.
Soto said he will not play this season as the regular season concludes this week and the round-robin playoffs begin next week.
Although he has not yet spoken to the Tigres del Licey, he said the Mets are aware of his plan to play.
New York Mets prized acquisition Juan Soto at his press conference at Citi Field on December 12 after agreeing to an MLB-record $765 million, 15-year contract
Elly De La Cruz hits a single during the All-Star Game at Globe Life Field in July
Now that the World Baseball Classic is scheduled for 2026, a month before the start of the regular season, he could join the Dominican club next winter as preparation.
During the interview, Soto also debunked rumors that one of the reasons he decided to join the Mets was because the Yankees’ security staff did not treat his family well.
‘It’s all false. It’s all false. “A lot of things will come to the public,” he said.
“These are things that are going to happen. People are going to talk and say things, but it’s something that hasn’t happened. That’s all false. My family was treated very well. My organization was 1A.’