New York Yankees Juan Soto on the 15th (Korea Standard Time) Cleveland Guardian

Juan Soto circles the base after hitting a solo first home run to right in the bottom of the third inning. AP Yonhap News

Juan Soto of the New York Yankees continues to demonstrate the value of the FA in fall baseball.

Soto, who reached a career high in the regular season, shows off his bat skills that haven't diminished in the postseason.

In the first game of the American League Championship Series (ALCS) against the Cleveland Guardians at Yankee Stadium on the 15th (Korean time), Soto led the team to a 5-2 victory with two hits, one RBI, one run and a walk of three hits, including the game-winning home run.

Soto entered the leadoff hitter in the bottom of the third inning when the score was 0-0. He pulled a sinker that flew to the middle of opposing starter Alex Cobb's fourth pitch and arced it well over the fence in right-center. With a launch angle of 31 degrees, a bat speed of 109.7 mph and a strike distance of 401 feet, Soto's was the eighth career home run of the postseason and his first home run of the fall.

Taking advantage of Cobb's poor control, the Yankees added two more runs on two wild pitches, giving opposing pitcher Joey Cantillo a two-base, two-out opportunity created by Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton and Anthony Volpi.

Soto has a .353 batting average (6 hits in 17 at-bats), one homer, three RBIs, two runs scored, four walks, five strikeouts and a 1.043 OPS in five postseason games. He hit .288 with 41 home runs, 109 RBIs, 128 runs scored and a .989 OPS in the regular season. In contrast to Aaron Judge's .322 batting average, 58 home runs, 144 RBIs and a 1.159 OPS in the regular season, he complained about a batting average of about 10% in the postseason.

Soto has the strength to be strong in big games.

Soto hits a home run in the third inning and performs a promised ceremony with Judge. EPA Yonhap News

Soto also played well for the Washington Nationals in 2019 when they won the World Series. That year, he played in 17 postseason games and recorded a .277 batting average (18 hits in 65 at-bats), five home runs, 14 RBIs, 12 runs scored and an OPS of .927. In the World Series against the Houston Astros, he hit a game-winning solo home run in the fifth inning of Game 6 and a timely hit off Justin Verlander in Game 7, posting a .333 batting average, three home runs and seven RBIs in seven games. Building a reputation as a “big game heater.”

The New York Post highlighted Soto's performance in an article headlined “Soto has yet to meet his opponent.”

The media outlet said, “Soto came into the spotlight when he was 21 years old.” In the 2019 World Series, he hit three home runs with a .333 batting average, and when Steven Strasburg was named Series MVP, Soto was also mentioned as a candidate . “Back then, he played with an almost shocking calm and did something every day for Washington's victory.” He was like a 12-year veteran.

After the game, Yankees manager Aaron Boone said, “That's not surprising at all.” That's what he always does this year. It was a game where you can see what kind of player he is and who he is.” Carlos Rodon, who won with nine strikeouts and one run in six innings, said: “He lifted us up.” He lifted us up led,” he said with a thumbs up.

Soto said of Cobb robbing him of a home run in the third inning: “I know the ball he threw well. It's a ball that was thrown at me three times. I was ready. I tried to hit him hard and he hit me.” It was.”

Meanwhile, in the right-field outfield plaza at Yankee Stadium, a male fan drew attention by holding a sign that read, “Offer Soto $600 Million.” As if to show off right fielder Soto, he carried the backboard and cheered him on throughout the game. In response, the New York Daily News reported that during Game 1 of the ALCS, a fan named John Mudry visited Yankee Stadium with his wife and made an incredible offer to Juan Soto. They hoped Soto would remain with the Yankees at that point.

Soto told the media: “I really appreciate you making such a suggestion. Let’s see what happens later this year.”