Amazin' Daily Briefing

Amazin' Daily Briefing: February 23rd, 2025 - Soto Homeruns and Mets win 6-2 in Spring Opener

The New York Mets started their Grapefruit League season in style with a 6-2 victory over the Houston Astros. Juan Soto wasted no time making an impact, while Clay Holmes impressed on the mound.

Mets Kick Off Grapefruit League with a Bang – Juan Soto Shines in Debut!

The New York Mets started their Grapefruit League season in style with a 6-2 victory over the Houston Astros. Juan Soto wasted no time making an impact, while Klay Holmes impressed on the mound.

The Mets made an early statement in their first spring training game, and the buzz centered around Juan Soto’s electrifying debut. Stepping up as the second hitter of the game, Soto crushed a 2-1 fastball from Colton Gordon deep over the left-center field fence, setting the tone for an exciting season ahead. The celebration even came with a lighthearted moment—Soto accidentally stepped on teammate Jesse Winker while returning to the dugout. Luckily, Winker laughed it off with no harm done.

On the pitching side, Klay Holmes delivered a dominant performance, tossing three perfect innings as he continues his transition from reliever to starter. He needed just 34 pitches to get through his outing, then threw 15 more in the bullpen to further extend his workload. A key highlight? Holmes effectively mixed in seven changeups, a pitch he's working on to improve his arsenal against left-handed hitters—though he even tested it against right-handers.

Looking ahead, the Mets are set for a split-squad day, with one group taking on the Washington Nationals in Port St. Lucie, while the other squad heads to Jupiter to face the Miami Marlins. More baseball action is just around the corner!

Carlos Mendoza Reacts to First Spring Training Games, Including Juan Soto’s Debut and Clay Holmes’ Pitching.

The excitement surrounding the new right fielder is off the charts! After spending 4 to 5 days taking live at-bats, Juan Soto seamlessly flipped the switch against live competition. The moment he stepped into the batter's box, his locked-in demeanor was undeniable. And then, just like that— he smashed a home run, leaving fans and reporters in awe.

When asked about his performance, the admiration was clear. "It's pretty incredible," a source said. "Regardless of the results, just watching his approach and the way he locked in made it evident we were witnessing something special." The expectation is that he will continue to shine throughout the season.

Clay Holmes Dominates with Unreal Stuff

Another standout of the game was Clay Holmes, who delivered three perfect innings. Everything about his pitching arsenal was on point—the sinker, the sweeper, even his cutter and changeup. He looked sharp and in total control every time he took the mound.

His changeup, which was considered a new weapon in his arsenal, impressed hitters and coaches alike. "I went up to some of the guys and asked them about it," one source shared. "They all said it was nasty!" Seeing a pitcher trust a new pitch in live competition is always exciting, and Holmes did just that, using it effectively to get key outs.

Building for the Long Season

The coaching staff is making sure Holmes is eased into his new role while still maintaining his physical endurance. While he’s been stretched out in practice, the real test is how he recovers after each intense outing.

Interestingly, Holmes took it upon himself to go into the bullpen and throw another 15 pitches after his performance. This extra work was part of his plan to build stamina and reach a consistent pitch count ahead of the season.