Part 3/8:
What’s particularly frustrating for fans is not simply Soto’s underwhelming statistics this season but the perception that he hasn’t put forth the effort required to earn their respect. Fans understand the challenges of baseball and are well aware of Soto’s potential. However, without visible hustle—whether in the field or during at-bats—the criticisms grow louder. It becomes imperative for Soto to demonstrate that he cares about his performance. Players can occasionally have off days, but there’s a fine line between poor performance and a lack of effort—something fans are not willing to tolerate.