Dominican outfielder Juan Soto agreed with the San Diego Padres on Friday to avoid arbitration for the 2023 season, in which he will receive a $23 million salary.

It will be Soto’s penultimate season before being eligible for free agency and his third year of arbitration eligibility as a Super Two.

The Dominican had an $18 million salary last season with the Washington Nationals and Padres, who acquired him in a midseason trade.

In his fifth season in the majors, the 23-year-old Soto hit .242/.401/.452 with 27 home runs and 62 RBIs and led the National League in walks received with 135.

In his career, for every 162 games, Soto averages 33 homers and 98 RBIs, with 30 doubles and 113 runs scored. Also, a .950 OPS.

Soto has accumulated an income of US$26.1 million in his five years in the Major Leagues.

Related – Eleven Dominican players among the top 100 projected by MLB Network