Mar 3, 2025; Port St. Lucie, Florida, USA; New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto (22) walks back to the dugout after striking out in the fourth inning against the Miami Marlins at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images

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“How the hell is he a 99” – Fans demolish MLB The Show 25 for putting Juan Soto on Ohtani-Judge level

The numbers don't lie...

From the very start, it’s been ridiculous to compare Juan Soto to Aaron Judge. Soto’s best season came when he was batting ahead of Judge, who had an AL MVP year, yet that still wasn’t even Judge’s best season. Soto is an elite hitter, no doubt, but putting him in the same breath as Judge and Shohei Ohtani? That’s a stretch. And now, MLB The Show 25 has thrown them all into the 99 Overall Club together, igniting a firestorm among fans who just aren’t buying it.

Introducing the 99 Overall Club for MLB The Show 25! 🎮

Is there anybody else that you would include in this group? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/ryhqh3g3Tz
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) March 5, 2025

Juan Soto vs. the real 99s?

Let’s talk numbers. Aaron Judge has a career WAR of 52.2, compared to Soto’s 36.4. Judge has 315 home runs and a 1.010 OPS, while Soto sits at 201 homers and a .953 OPS. Ohtani—just as a hitter—has a 43.8 WAR, 225 home runs, a .945 OPS, and 145 stolen bases in fewer games than Soto. If we’re talking sheer value, Soto isn’t remotely close to Judge, and he’s only marginally ahead of Ohtani at the plate.

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And let’s not forget, Judge has carried the Yankees for years, while Soto—great as he is—hasn’t exactly put a team on his back the same way. The biggest argument for Soto is his plate discipline, but even that isn’t enough to justify putting him in the same league as Judge or Ohtani. Once Ohtani is back to pitching, he’ll probably be the undisputed top player in baseball. Until then, comparing Soto to him also feels premature.

Fans call it how they see it

The internet wasted no time tearing apart the decision to give Soto a 99 overall rating. The consensus? He just doesn’t belong in that tier.

One fan summed it up bluntly: “Soto can’t field or run the bases—how the HELL is he a 99?” Another echoed the sentiment: “Judge in a group with Soto is laughable.” Others pointed to Judge’s dominance, with one fan noting, “Judge has led MLB in every offensive category two of the last three years. Soto, in four years, has led his league in four categories total—three times in walks, once in runs (because Judge hit behind him).”

Soto can't field or run the bases how the HELL is he a 99
— thx (@thx6969) March 6, 2025

Judge in a group with Soto is laughable.

Judge has led MLB in ever offensive category 2 of the last 3 years… Soto in 4 years has led his leavue in 4 categories total….. 3 times in walks, once in runs scored (because Judge hit behind him)z

Ohtani doesn’t belong with Jusge…
— KevSwing (@Kswing6) March 6, 2025

the excuse for Ronald was defense so since when did soto have defense
— 𝒟𝒶𝓁𝑒⛱ (@CamdinoK) March 6, 2025

If you add the fact that he’s a lot better of a defender and base runner, you could make the argument that he’s a better player than Soto currently (and 2 years younger).

If anything, I don’t think Soto deserves to be a 99 while Witt is a 96. I’d probably put Witt at 98 and Soto… pic.twitter.com/9zuyppmeWM
— Jacob P.M.🌔 (@JacobBSpeaks) March 6, 2025

Soto is undeserving
— ktb.kendrick🌪️ (@ktbkendrick) March 5, 2025

And it wasn’t just Soto getting the heat. Some questioned why Bobby Witt Jr. wasn’t included instead: “Two DHs as 99? Then Judge, no Witt?” Another fan put it simply: “Witt not being here is pretty disrespectful.”

Bobby Witt
— Palatine (@xbtPalatine) March 5, 2025

Bobby Witt Jr. Gonna be there in a few years 👀 🔥
— Cookie Picks (@CookiePickz) March 6, 2025

Out of respect Soto and Judge should be 98.
— Keeping IT 💯 (@MortgageSense83) March 6, 2025

Soto is not a 99
— Game Day Pints (@GameDayPints) March 6, 2025

ALSO READ: Orioles may begin season without Gunnar Henderson

I am well aware that this is just a video game, but right now? It feels like MLB The Show 25 got caught up in the $765M hype. Soto is great, but a 99? Maybe not so much…

Aaron Judge

Dodgers

Juan Soto

Mets

Shohei Ohtani

Yankees

Mohsin Baldiwala

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Mohsin Baldiwala is a Master’s student in Journalism and freelance content producer who got hooked on baseball through Seinfeld’s hapless George Costanza. The same reason why he’s a Yankees fan. He writes about sports because he believes it can offer a brief escape from the world’s chaos. Even if that means enduring the heartbreak of the 2024 World Series.