Juan Soto entered the 2025 season carrying the weight of sky-high expectations. Something that comes with the territory when you have the biggest contract in sports history. But through the first two months of the campaign, things haven’t gone quite according to plan. While Soto has shown flashes of his elite talent, his season has been marred by an unusual amount of tough luck.

Whether it’s hard-hit balls finding gloves or missed opportunities due to factors beyond his control, fortune hasn’t been in his favor. That trend continued Tuesday night against the White Sox, when a bizarre base-running blunder by Brandon Nimmo led to yet another frustrating moment for Soto.

The weird incident unfolded when Soto lined a sharp single into the right-center field gap, just in front of a diving Michael A. Taylor. It looked like he had finally caught a break. But the moment quickly unraveled into another episode of misfortune.

Running ahead of Soto, Brandon Nimmo mistakenly believed the ball had been caught and began retreating to first base. In the confusion, Soto, focused on advancing, unknowingly passed Nimmo on the basepaths. Well, guess what, an automatic out for Soto, wiping away what should have been a clean hit.

Again, prolonging the stretch of bad breaks that has defined his early season.

Apart from getting out, the most frustrating part for Soto is that he didn’t even get to keep the hit. While the official scorer initially ruled it a single, the decision was later reversed. Yes, the play was recorded as a lineout in the scorebook!

Seems like it is nothing but tough luck with Soto! He has faced his share of criticism this year, particularly when it comes to his effort and hustle. But this time he did everything right. Yet once again, circumstances outside his control turned a potential highlight into another hard-luck moment.

Now, the event was so frustrating that fans are calling out MLB for such rules, and costing a legal hit on a player.

Fans are rallying behind Soto this time

While Soto is at the receiving end of the fans this season for his rough patch, this time, he got their backing. The fact that Soto is not aware of a hit despite taking a legal pitch is not sitting well with them.

Some fans took things a bit too far and called the umpire’s decision rigged! Well, according to MLB baserunning rules, a play like this can only be recorded as a single if all forced runners successfully advance. Hence, as Nimmo stayed put at first base, thinking the ball had been caught, that condition wasn’t met. By rule, Soto’s passing of Nimmo thus nullifies the hit and turns it into a lineout, officially scored as a putout by the nearest fielder. So, the decision is all within the rule. Unfortunately, it is Soto who got caught in it.

You know gut punches? One fan shared the same. “As if Soto couldn’t get any more unlucky.” While Soto is facing all his rough patches, clubhouse trouble, and lack of enthusiasm this season, now add his luck to this list. Well, previously in multiple cases, Soto has hit scorching line drives, only for a defender to snag them and double off a baserunner. So yes, hard luck is not new for Juan Soto. It’s just that it is not going off this year.

While Juan Soto was called out as per the rules, fans are also calling out why not give it a run when Soto reached first base. As per the clip, Soto crossed first base and was about to touch second. But rules are rules, right? It would have been a run if Nimmo had not been back in the second. Since two players cannot be on the same base, one player will surely be forced out. And here, it was Soto, since Nimmo held the base before him.

“No wonder Soto hates his life.” Is it so? Well, we hope it is related to what MLB insider Michael Kay commented about Soto a few days ago. According to Kay, Soto’s heart might still be in the Bronx. Kay claimed that Soto has appeared glum around the Mets’ clubhouse and suggested the star slugger had originally wanted to remain with the Yankees. Well, it was Soto himself who debunked these rumors and said he is all comfortable in the Mets clubhouse. But yes, weird incidents like these surely could make someone hate their life or luck!

Here is something more rational from a user. Well, the out that cost Juan Soto a hit can reasonably be chalked up to a baserunning mishap by Brandon Nimmo. And yes, it was primarily Nimmo’s fault, based on how the play unfolded and the rules involved. It was Nimmo who misread the play and didn’t verify whether the ball was caught. Moreover, he didn’t advance when he was forced to, leading to Soto’s automatic out. A sad baserunning error here! But mistakes like this happen in real time, especially with diving plays in the outfield that can be tough to read.

Well, misses and close calls apart, the game was pretty tight throughout, with Pete Alonso and Jared Young scoring two-run homers, each. And literally, that had a lot to do with the Mets’ 6-4 win against the White Sox. But for Soto… his rough patch continues. Yet, we cannot wait to see his hits ultimately pass the fence.