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Padres' Soto feeling 'great' after inconsistent 2022

Steph Chambers / Getty Images Sport / Getty

San Diego Padres All-Star outfielder Juan Soto is ready for a big season after battling some inconsistency in 2022.

"Definitely, I feel great," Soto said Friday, according to MLB.com's AJ Cassavell. "I feel like my timing is right on point. You've just got to keep grinding."

Soto still registered an impressive 145 wRC+ despite hitting a career-worst .242 with only 62 RBIs over 153 games last season.

The two-time All-Star admitted he struggled through some issues with his swing last season.

"Mechanically, I was off last year, the whole year," Soto said. "I tried to find my mechanics, but I think I really found it again."

Soto said he's feeling closer to the form he showcased in 2020 and 2021 when he accrued 9.6 fWAR over 198 games as a member of the Washington Nationals.

"It's way different, the way I'm seeing the ball now," Soto said. "Right now, I'm feeling like 2020 spring training, and it's a great feeling, just amazing how I'm seeing the ball."

Soto is back in Padres camp after participating in the World Baseball Classic with the Dominican Republic. The 24-year-old was one of the best players on a star-studded roster, hitting a pair of home runs with a 1.500 OPS over four games.

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