Soto's Little Brother Crushes Massive Home Run in Fall League

Elian Soto, the 20-year-old younger brother of New York Mets superstar Juan Soto, demolished his first home run of the 2026 Arizona Fall League season on Wednesday night.

The left-handed slugger turned on a 1-2 pitch and sent it to right field for a majestic two-run shot that left the bat at 103.2 mph.

The home run came during the Salt River Rafters' 9-8 win over the Scottsdale Scorpions.

Salt River manager Ted Tom watched it from the dugout.

"The first thing that comes to mind is his energy, it's really contagious in the locker room," Tom told MLB.com.

"He's super excited to be here, excited for the opportunity. He shows up every day with that mindset and just wants to put the work in. To see him hit a hanging breaking ball out of the ballpark like that, that's serious stuff."

Elian Soto is a Washington Nationals prospect who signed with the organization as an international free agent in January 2023 for a $225,000 signing bonus.

That bonus was modest compared to the $5 million his older brother received from the same franchise in 2015.

Juan Soto signed with the Nationals as a transcendent international prospect, rocketed through the minor league system, and spent five seasons starring for Washington, winning two Silver Sluggers and a batting title before being traded to the San Diego Padres in August 2022.

The tendrils of that trade still stretch across the Nationals organization.

Right-hander Jarlin Susana, who was acquired alongside James Wood, CJ Abrams and others in the Soto deal, leads the Arizona Fall League with 26 strikeouts entering play Thursday, consistently wowing with triple-digit velocity.

Elian Soto's path to this moment has been very different from his brother's.

Juan Soto made his MLB debut at age 19.

As a 20-year-old, Juan played 150 games in the majors and hit .282 with 34 home runs and 110 RBIs.

Elian Soto spent his first professional season in 2023 in the Dominican Summer League, where he struggled mightily.

He then spent two years in the Florida Complex League, where he slashed just .155/.326/.248 during that span.

But 2026 marked a turning point.

Elian Soto got his first taste of Single-A action with the Fredericksburg Nationals.

In 45 games with Fredericksburg, the 20-year-old hit .261 with a .383 on-base percentage and a .781 OPS, along with three home runs and 22 RBIs.

His season included a trip to the playoffs with the Single-A club.

When the season ended, Elian Soto was back home in the Dominican Republic, winding down and ready to rest and recover.

Then the phone rang.

It was October, and the Nationals summoned him back to the United States, tabbing him for a brief stint with the Salt River Rafters of the Arizona Fall League.

He arrived and has reached base safely in all six games since.

So far in the 2026 Arizona Fall League season, the younger Soto is 3-for-16 with five walks.

Those five walks shouldn't surprise any fan who has watched his older brother display incredible plate discipline in the majors.

Juan Soto has led the league in walks multiple times and is known for one of the most patient and disciplined approaches in baseball history.

Elian Soto appears to have inherited that trait.

Defensively, Soto has mostly played first base and left field so far in the minors.

That versatility could come in handy for the Nationals prospect.

If he keeps showcasing his ability to get on base, the organization will find a way to put his bat in the lineup.

Being able to play multiple positions should make that easier, especially once he reaches the upper levels of the minors.

While the younger Soto will likely always be compared to his older brother, his professional career is already off to a much different start.

Juan Soto was a generational talent from day one, a five-time All-Star who has already accomplished more in his career than most players ever will.

Elian Soto is still a raw prospect working his way through the lower levels of the Nationals' farm system.

But the raw tools are there.

The power is real.

The plate discipline is promising.

And the Nationals are clearly invested in his development, as evidenced by the late-season call to bring him to the Arizona Fall League.

The Arizona Fall League is a premier prospect showcase circuit, where the game's top young talents compete against each other in a short season after the regular year ends.