Francisco Lindor, Juan Soto, Pete Alonso, and Fernando Tatis Jr are just a few of Major League Baseball’s young stars taking in their ballclubs’ leadership roles. All four of these incredible athletes have shown continued leadership both on and off the field. Lindor and Tatis jr signed massive contract extensions during the 2020-2021 offseason, and leadership played a significant role. Soto and Alonso await a big contract in the coming years.
Francisco Lindor, 27, signed a ten-year $341 million contract extension with the New York Mets on Wednesday, March 31, 2021, to remain with the Mets until he is 38 years old, which will go into effect at the start of the 2022 MLB season. Before getting traded from the Cleveland Indians to the New York Mets, Lindor was one of their leaders. After getting traded to the New York Mets, Lindor knew that he had to have the same energy level to stand out around his new teammates and coaches. As Lindor walked through the Clubhouse doors at 7:30 am, he walked into the clubhouse, getting his teammates pumped up for the game. Mets manager, Luis Rojas, said, “The abilities, you expect what we’ve seen. But now his leadership skills, it’s been more than I expected because he’s done it so early. … His outgoingness, that’s the thing that’s impressed me the most. He’s done it in the best way you can imagine.”
Juan Soto, the 22-year-old right fielder and a favorite for the Washington Nationals, will be entering his fourth season as a big leaguer. The 22-year-old won his first World Series Championship in 2019 as a member of the Washington Nationals. During the 2019 World Series, Soto had a batting average of .333, including three home runs. Former Boston Red Sox power hitter David Oritz who hit a career total of 541 Home Runs, said of Soto during the 2019 World Series, “I learned that confidence this kid already has at 21 years old, He’s seven years ahead of me.” During Soto’s age 20 season, he made history as he is one of four players with at least 1,000 at-bats. The list includes Mickey Mantle, Mel Ott, Ty Cobb, and Juan Soto. Soto won The Babe Ruth Aware, which is The Postseason Most Valuable Player during the 2019 postseason. He also won the 2020 Silver Slugger Award. At just 22 years old, if Juan Soto continues to be a superstar, Cooperstown could be calling his name.
Pete Alonso, the 26-year-old first baseman for the New York Mets, has become a leader both on and off the field. In 2019, Alonso won the National League Rookie of the Year award. Aside from winning the National League Rookie of the Year, Alonso won the 2019 Home, Run Derby at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio, the home of the Cleveland Indians, hitting a total of 57 home runs. Alonso won $1 million for winning the Home Run Derby. He donated five percent of winnings to the Wounded Warrior Project and five percent to Tunnel to Towers. Following his donation to both charities, he said, “That’s what I want to do. I feel really lucky, and I feel like all of us are because, without brave men and women who have served this country, we wouldn’t be able to do what we do. It’s a high price to pay. I just want to recognize all the good things those men and women do for this country.” Alonso also set a rookie record for most home runs, hitting 53 home runs during his rookie year in 2019.
Fernando Tatis Jr, the 22-year-old shortstop for the San Diego Padres, signed a fourteen-year, $340 million contract extension. Tatis Jr is the son of former big-league infielder, Fernando Tatis who played eleven years in the MLB. After Tatis Jr’s contract is complete, he will have played more years than his Dad. Padres General Manager A.J. Preller said after finalizing the deal, “He wanted to be one of those very unique players that plays his career in one spot. He loves the franchise, he loves the city, he his teammates, and he talked a lot about really wanting to get on the path of that statue contract. Tatis Jr went onto say, “I want the statue on one team. I want to be able to stay on one team and build my legacy over here in San Diego.” Fernando Tatis Jr has had incredible success in the first two years that he has played and will only continue to get better as he progresses as a player.
Jason Hochberg 