WASHINGTON -- Juan Soto's latest home run, in the first inning of the nightcap of Tuesday's Nationals day-night doubleheader against the Braves, launched the 19-year-old into rarefied air. Though, Washington was unable to muster more runs, losing 3-1.
Trailing by 0-2 in the count, Soto swatted a fastball left over the middle of the plate by left-hander Sean Newcomb into the opposite-field seats for a solo home run. It's his 14th homer of the season, moving Soto past Mickey Mantle into a tie with Phil Cavarretta for the fifth most by a teenager in MLB history.
Only nine players in MLB history have ever hit more than 10 home runs as a teenager. Ken Griffey Jr. is next with 16 home runs before his 20th birthday, and Tony Conigliaro paces the list with 24. And the Nationals still have 50 games left on the schedule for Soto to continue climbing the list.
Soto's teammate Bryce Harper ranks second with 22 homers as a teenager.
Soto has now reached base in 13 consecutive games and has not gone longer than two games all season without recording at least one hit.