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HOUSTON — When scout Johnny DiPuglia and GM Mike Rizzo finalized the amateur signing of a lifetime, inking the great Juan Soto for a mere $1.5 million for the Nats almost exactly a decade ago, it wasn’t Soto’s hit tool that impressed DiPuglia. That’s probably because Soto — whose first home run as a Met was a rocket shot in Friday night’s 3-1 win over the Astros — was only in the process of switching to become a hitter from a soft-tossing, control pitcher.

After DiPuglia’s scouting subordinate Modesto Ulloa tipped him to take a look, DiPuglia originally marked Soto’s swing only as “intriguing.” What really impressed DiPuglia was Soto’s obvious calm and confidence at age 16.

That hasn’t changed. While other Mets people were stunned that Soto could line a 96-mph, 1-and-2, up-and-in cutter from hard-throwing Houston right-hander Hunter Brown off the facing of the second deck, he didn’t view it as anything remarkable. Soto said he was simply “hunting” a pitch up there. And got that very pitch.”

He was asked if his first Mets home run meant anything, and he answered yes because guys like to get the pressure off early. But is he feeling pressure. “No,” he said, emphatically.