Juan Soto silences critics with clutch performance as he ends HR drought and proves David Stearns' belief right

Juan Soto reminded baseball fans why he commands one of the most lucrative contracts in the sport with a thunderous 404-foot home run that snapped a 17-game drought. The blast, launched in the fourth inning of the Mets’ 8-2 win over the Colorado Rockies on Saturday, was more than just a number on the box score—it was a statement.

Juan Soto breaks slump in style, ends homer drought and delivers big for Mets in crucial win

After weeks of quiet at the plate, Soto's swing roared back to life with a 109.5 mph shot to left-center, despite facing a 14 mph wind pushing out to right field. “He put a really good swing on it,” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said. “For him to hit it out of the ballpark like that on a day that the conditions are not in his favor, that’s pretty impressive.”Soto himself couldn’t hide his confidence. Grinning when asked if he thought the ball had enough to clear the fence, he responded, “I mean, 110 (mph), you’ve got to be.

I knew it was gone.”The home run was his first since May 9, and although it marked the fourth-longest homerless stretch of his eight-year career, the fans at Citi Field never wavered. When Soto completed his home run trot, he raised his hands to acknowledge the roaring crowd. Just moments later, chants of “JUAN SO-TO” echoed from the right-field seats, to which he turned and raised his arms in appreciation. “It’s a great feeling when you feel the support like that,” he said.

The moment became even sweeter when it followed Brandon Nimmo’s two-run homer, making it a back-to-back blast for the Mets. “Francisco (Lindor) and I were doing our picture down there,” Nimmo said of the team’s dugout celebration. “Heard the sound of the bat and the crowd going wild. We looked out and were able to see him go the other way. That’s when he’s the best.”While Soto’s $765 million, 15-year deal sets sky-high expectations, it also invites relentless scrutiny. Any slump feels seismic. But baseball is a game of streaks, and Mets president David Stearns offered a dose of reason during Soto’s recent struggles. “I think he's having good at-bats. He controls the strike zone pretty well. He's hitting the ball on the ground a little bit more than before and it's something he's aware of.

”The calendar turning to June and Soto’s power reawakening could signal a pivotal shift—not just for him, but for the Mets’ momentum going forward.Also Read: “I don’t know what to do”: Olivia Dunne breaks down over terrifying stalker encounter at airport