If it were someone composed and steady, it might be different, but for a pitcher like Valdez, who's already a hot-headed powder keg, he might even throw the ball at his own teammates when he goes berserk; coupled with Soto's slight provocation, on the pitcher's mound, Valdez's breathing audibly turned heavier.
A pitcher who has lost his cool facing a batter with extraordinary selection skills naturally leads to a predictable outcome: Soto's batting dance successfully disrupted Valdez, causing him to throw a series of balls, resulting in a walk on four pitches.
Juan Soto, having been walked, casually tossed his bat towards the sideline and leisurely walked towards first base; Valdez, though furious inside, no longer had the energy to engage further in the conflict.
Gazing at the towering figure walking into the right batter's box, Valdez could only feel the cold sweat profusely streaming down his forehead.
