Is that a Soto homering in a Nats uniform? Juan's younger brother goes deep in Fall League

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Elian Soto was winding down for the night, ready to rest and recover following another day of playing ball back home in the Dominican Republic. Soto had enjoyed a breakout 2026 campaign, which included a trip to the playoffs with Single-A Fredericksburg, but his year wasn’t over yet.

With one late-night phone call in October, the Nationals summoned the 20-year-old Soto back stateside, tabbing him for a brief stint with the Salt River Rafters of the Arizona Fall League. He’s reached base safely in all six games since his arrival, including drilling a titanic two-run homer -- his first in the AFL -- at 103.2 mph off the bat during the club’s 9-8 win over Scottsdale on Wednesday night.

“The first thing that comes to mind is his energy, it's really contagious in the locker room,” said Salt River manager Ted Tom, who also served as High-A Wilmington’s skipper in 2026. “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.”

The last name Soto certainly carries some heft around the nation’s capital. Juan Soto signed with the franchise as a transcendent international prospect in 2015, rocketed through the club’s Minor League system and spent five seasons starring for the Nationals, winning two Silver Sluggers and a batting title. 

(The tendrils of the August 2022 Soto trade still stretch out across the Nationals organization, specifically in the Fall League. Right-hander Jarlin Susana (WSH No. 4/MLB No. 66), who was acquired alongside James Wood, CJ Abrams and others, leads the premier prospect circuit with 26 strikeouts entering play Thursday, having consistently wowed with his triple-digit velocity.)

So when Elian Soto -- Juan’s younger brother -- joined the organization at the start of the 2023 international signing period, his name jumped off the page, even as he received a much more modest $225,000 signing bonus to get his career started. The left-handed hitter scuffled mightily during his lone campaign that year in the Dominican Summer League before similarly struggling to find an offensive rhythm by slashing .155/.326/.248 during his first two years in the Florida Complex League in 2024 and ‘25. 

He bounced between the Rookie-level circuit and Single-A through his first six weeks of game action this year before settling in with the FredNats. His strikeout rate remained north of 30 percent, but his line-drive rate rose more than nine points from last season (26.5 percent, up from 17.3) en route to a 121 wRC+ and .824 OPS. Which begs the question: what changed?

“Just my mind. Just growing up,” Soto said. “Everything mentally and spiritually has really worked for me [this year] and I’m trying to not think as much when I'm up there, just try to enjoy the game and just let things click by themselves.

“I used to think about results [too] much, but now I understand that it's not all about results. Just keep growing, keep enjoying the process and getting to grow into the game.”

There have been milestone moments along the way as well. Soto entered Game 2 of the Carolina League semifinals on Sept. 10 as the designated hitter with one of his most fervent supporters watching from the stands: big brother Juan, who maximized an off-day from the Mets’ September schedule.

“Every time he comes to the field to see me, I just feel awesome,” Elian said. “I love seeing him outside of the field, but when he comes to my games, it just feels different.”

The grind of the baseball season often makes that quality time difficult to come by. But in order to one day join Juan in the big leagues, Elian is getting in extra reps wherever he can. Washington has tried his hand at first base and both corner-outfield spots since his signing, but he’s exclusively played left and right field with Salt River and displayed strong arm strength, ripping off three throws above 90 mph.

But the grace of that left-handed swing -- and the juice when it connects -- is unmistakable.

“It’s in the genes,” said a laughing Tom, referencing Juan.

“It's been awesome seeing all the work he's put in, how he loves the game so much,” Elian said, when talking about Juan. “Watching him become what he has become has been great and I just love what he's doing. I try to keep it in the same lane as he is right now.”