Juan Soto explains why he decided to skip 2026 Home Run Derby

Juan Soto was considering taking part in this year’s Home Run Derby in Philadelphia at Citizens Bank Park.Ultimately, the Mets slugger didn’t think it made sense for him. “I had a mindset, I was trying to see where I was at to join, but then we decided [not to do it],” Soto said before the Mets hosted the Red Sox at Citi Field on Saturday.  Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Mike Puma about the inside buzz on the Mets.

Soto, 27, won the contest in 2022 and took part in 2021. “It was fun, it was cool, it was tiring, but it was a great experience,” he said. Soto previously said he wanted to see how he felt physically before committing.In the end, he passed. This year’s contestants will be Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber of the Phillies, Junior Caminero of the Rays, Jac Caglianone of the Royals, Ben Rice of the Yankees, Willson Contreras of the Red Sox, Jordan Walker of the Cardinals and Munetaka Murakami of the White Sox. Soto will be in Philadelphia for the festivities as a starter, after he was snubbed a year ago.

It will mark his fifth All-Star Game appearance and second time starting in the showcase. “It’s always great.I got to thank all of my fans,” Soto said after the selection was announced.

“I got to thank all the fans in the Dominican Republic, they make it possible.All thanks to the people in New York, too.

They really brought a lot.Mets fans are unbelievable.

“I really appreciate everything that they have done for me these past two years.I think it’s great.” Soto is enjoying a terrific season in his second year as a Met, entering play Saturday with a slash line of .297/.412/.576, with a .989 OPS, 21 home runs and 51 RBIs. ...