Eric Chavez raves about all ways Juan Soto is quietly helping Mets

Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Mike Puma about the inside buzz on the Mets from spring training PORT ST.LUCIE — Eric Chavez has long been a fan of great hitters.From his own playing days, he tried to emulate Ken Griffey Jr.

and Barry Bonds.More recently, his eyes have been drawn to another lefty-swinger: Juan Soto.And after telling The Post’s Joel Sherman earlier this spring that watching Soto’s pre-workout routine gave him “goose bumps,” the Mets hitting coach has found himself even more impressed after getting to watch him play in games — albeit still in spring training — on a regular basis for the past three weeks.“To see it from afar is fantastic,” Chavez said of Soto’s ability at the plate.“The closer he gets to you, the more you go ‘Whoa, that’s different.’ ”Even during Grapefruit League games, Soto applies the same disciplined, patient approach he does in the regular season.It wowed the Yankees a year ago and is doing the same thing in Mets camp.

Chavez has been so impressed by what he’s seen from Soto, he could only think of one other hitter to compare him to, and it’s not Griffey Jr.“I think Bonds was as close to a perfect hitter as I’ve ever seen and Soto is right there on his heels,’’ Chavez said.“It’s pretty special.

You kind of anticipate what he’s gonna be like when he gets here, but it’s not the same.It’s about as good as I’ve ever seen.

I’m glad he’s on our side.”As Carlos Mendoza said, “It’s a show.”“When he comes to the plate, you can tell the difference in the stadium and in our dugout,’’ Mendoza said.“People stop what they’re doing and just watch because they don’t want to miss anything.

Not even a pitch.” Watching Soto every day, his singularity doesn’t come only from his power or ability to get on base.It’s the way he takes pitches, looking them into the glove and rarely being fooled.The appro...