New York Yankees outfielder Juan Soto is clearly a transcendent star, but in the eyes of another MLB player, he is actually incredibly overrated.

A recent survey of MLB players revealed that one anonymous individual felt that Soto is the most overrated player in baseball, via The Athletic MLB staff.

“Could be a spite pick, to be honest,” the player said. “I feel like all he does is walk and hit singles, and doesn’t hit for power like he’s portrayed. Also not a good fielder.”

Well, the part about Soto only walking and hitting singles couldn't be any more inaccurate. Soto has smashed 17 home runs this season and boasts a .603 slugging percentage, which is tied for third in the sport in 2024.

Soto owns a tremendous 1.027 OPS this year and has also driven in 53 runs. Yes, he does walk a lot, as evidenced by his .424 OBP, but that's far from “all he does.”

Now, in terms of Soto's defense? It's true that he was historically never a good defensive player, but he has flipped the script this season, laying claim to a 6.2 UZR/150 and 2 DRS. Perhaps Soto has been energized by playing in New York or is really going all out in a contract year. Whatever the case may be, he has actually been very good defensively in 2024.

Yankees' Juan Soto is making his case for AL MVP

New York Yankees right fielder Juan Soto (22) watches from the top step of the dugout as third baseman DJ LeMahieu (26) bats during the ninth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Yankee Stadium.
Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Not only is Soto proving that he is far from overrated, but he is actually in the running for AL MVP.

Right now, Soto's Yankee teammate, Aaron Judge, is the favorite. Plus, the two superstars will probably take votes away from each other given that they play for the same team. But the fact that Soto is in serious contention for an MVP award tells you how terrific he really is. He actually finished second in NL MVP voting back when he was with the Washington Nationals in 2021.

The 25-year-old broke into the big leagues with the Nationals in 2018, slashing .292/.406/.517 with 22 homers and 70 RBI across 494 plate appearances. The following season, he helped lead Washington to a World Series title courtesy of slashing .282/.401/.548 with 34 long balls and 110 RBI. He also hit five long balls in the playoffs, including three in the World Series.

Soto spent the first four-and-a-half years of his career with the Nats before being traded to the San Diego Padres midway through the 2022 campaign. He resided in San Diego for a season-and-a-half and was dealt to the Yankees this past December.

The Dominican native smashed a career-high 35 dingers in 2023 and appears to be well on his way to shattering that mark this year.

However, Soto has missed the last three games due to inflammation in his left forearm, which is obviously something New York will monitor moving forward.

Whoever called Soto overrated probably has a personal problem with him, as Soto does ruffle some feathers with his behavior at the plate. He is very animated in the batter's box, and his “Soto shuffle” has certainly rubbed some pitchers the wrong way.

Let's be real: the player who called Soto overrated even said it was “a spite pick.”