5 Christians playing in the 2019 World Series

By Samuel Smith, Deputy Managing Editor Friday, October 25, 2019

Juan Soto

Faith is important for a number of Nationals players, not just Rendon. The 20-year-old Dominican outfielder, Juan Soto, is one of them.

Soto has made a name for himself with a monster offensive season and his patience at the plate.

Soto is the second-youngest player ever to hit a home run in his first World Series game when he drove a high fastball from Gerrit Cole over the wall for an opposite-field home run in Game 1. He became the fourth player ever to hit a home run in a World Series game before the age of 21.

Soto also got the game-winning hit in the Nationals’ victory in the N.L. Wild Card game against the Milwaukee Brewers on Oct. 2 that kept the National’s postseason hopes alive. After that game, Soto said in a postgame interview that he, his dad, mom and brother prayed before the game.

“We just prayed before the game and we told Him that we just need His help,” Soto said. “With God’s help right now to get the opportunity to just [get it done.]”

The day after the Nationals beat the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Division Series on Oct. 10, Soto posted the words of James 4:10 on his Instagram account in Spanish. Those words were posted along with a photograph of Soto pointing toward the sky while stepping on home plate after hitting a home run.

In English, James 4:10 reads: “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.”