Statistically speaking, Juan Soto’s first season with the Mets was a success.
The superstar outfielder — who fled from The Bronx to Queens on a historic 15-year, $765 million deal — set career highs in several offensive categories, including home runs (43) and stolen bases (38) as he finished third in the National League MVP race.
But the four-time All-Star got off to a slow start, posting a .241 batting average with just three home runs and 12 RBIs until late April, when Mets fans grew restless.
At that point, Soto, 27, leaned on advice from a retired outfielder familiar with the weight of a huge contract in Queens: Carlos Beltran.
“He said the same thing happened to him when he was really struggling in New York,” Soto says said in an interview on “Siendo Honestos” with Katherine Hernandezas translated by The Post. “Everyone piled in and the pressure was on. To get through it, he started carrying a card with all his stats written on it.
“Every time he looked at it, he reminded himself: this is who I am as a player, not the version everyone else is trying to portray. That simple mental reset helped him get out of the slump.”
Beltran is handling the pressure of a historic contract with the Mets better than most.
Fresh off a historic 2004 postseason in which he hit eight home runs for the Astros, Beltran signed a then-Mets record seven-year, $119 million contract.
Despite making the 2005 All-Star team, Beltran posted career lows in several major categories while dealing with injuries and one of the most horrific on-field collisions in baseball history.
The following season, however, Beltran began an elite three-year run, averaging 33 home runs and 113 RBIs while winning three consecutive Gold Gloves.
Although Beltran was hampered by injuries during his final years with Queens, he established himself as one of the most impactful players in franchise history.
The Mets didn’t have to wait until 2026 to see an elite version of Soto.
Despite the Amazin’s collapse, which caused them to miss the playoffs, Soto led the league in walks (127), on-base percentage (.396) and tied with Pirates outfielder Oneil Cruz for the most stolen bases in the NL (38).
Soto became the first player in Mets history to record a season of at least 40 home runs and at least 30 steals. He also joined Barry Bonds and Jeff Bagwell as the only players in MLB history with a season of at least 40 home runs, 30 steals and 100 walks.
Soto finished third in the NL MVP voting behind winner Shohei Ohtani and runner-up Kyle Schwarber.
Beltran — now an assistant to Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns — marveled at Soto to The Post in May as he made his long-awaited return to Yankee Stadium.
“No one wants to be booed,” Beltran said. “But this was expected. This is a guy who did a fantastic job for the Yankees last year. He was an asset to the organization. He signed with the Mets as a free agent. I have a feeling he even expected it.”
“I think Soto did a great job.”
In the midst of a transformative offseason that saw mainstays Pete Alonso and Edwin Díaz depart in free agency and fellow cornerstones Brandon Nimmo and Jeff McNeil trade, Soto — alongside Francisco Lindor — will play a crucial role in the Mets’ success next season.
And even when the going gets tough, Soto can tap into his memory bank and continue to capitalize on Beltran’s advice.
“Looking back, I would say that was the last piece of advice that really made a difference for me,” Soto said.
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