Soto sends Dominican academy into hysteria

October 23rd, 2019

The Nationals' dugout erupted when hit his two-run double to extend Washington's lead in Game 1 of the World Series on Tuesday night -- but the reaction from Soto's teammates was nothing compared to that of those watching the game at the Nats' academy in the Dominican Republic.

After hitting a game-tying homer in the fourth inning, Soto -- who was signed as a 16-year-old out of the Dominican Republic by Johnny DiPuglia, the Nationals' vice president of international operations -- sent his fans back home into hysteria one inning later with his two-run double off the left-field wall.

Soto, who turns 21 on Friday, signed with the Nats in July 2015. After putting up stellar offensive numbers in Rookie level and Class A ball from 2016-17, Soto returned to Class A Hagerstown to begin the '18 season -- but he wouldn't stay there for long.

The then-19-year-old played just 16 games before being bumped up to Class A Advanced Potomac, where he would hit .371 with seven homers over just 15 games. The next stop was Double-A Harrisburg, but after only eight games, Soto made the leap from Harrisburg to the Majors.

Once again, it did not take long for the phenom to make his presence felt. Playing in just his second game -- and making his first career start -- Soto clubbed a three-run homer against the Padres on May 21, 2018. That, too, was well-received by those watching at the Dominican Republic academy.

“[Nats principal owner Mark] Lerner said, ‘Hey, when are you going to get me another Soto?’" DiPuglia said after the game. "I go, ‘Not gonna happen. Those guys come once every 50 years.’”