D.R. youngster has the Soto Shuffle perfected

All baseball-loving kids grow up emulating their heroes.

Whether in the backyard, in the street or on a Little League diamond, we’ve all copied our favorite player’s stance, swing and mannerisms as Major League dreams danced in our heads.

Juan Soto is one of those heroes in the Dominican Republic. The Padres superstar has a nation of young people who want to be just like him when they are at bat. That’s what happens when you’re a three-time All-Star, a four-time Silver Slugger and a World Series champion by the time you turn 25.

One child in Soto’s home country has his entire routine in the batter’s box down perfectly.

The slight lean back as he settles into the left-handed-hitting box. The bat held upward in his right hand with his left arm extended toward the catcher. Then, the crouching stance with the front foot pointed inward. The bat wagging above his head with the barrel end pointing out at the pitcher. It’s fantastic.

But no Soto impersonation is complete without the Soto Shuffle. Soto has a chain pendant of his patented move. And this Shuffle from the Soto admirer is a doozy. As a ball sails outside the zone, the child does the Shuffle with so much enthusiasm that it brings a joyous reaction from the people watching.

It all ends with a hit for extra bases. Again, very Soto-esque.

There really isn’t anyone else in the Majors like Juan Soto. But the joy brought from imitating one of the greatest players in the game has been, is and will continue to be part of baseball’s charm for kids of all ages.