Fernando Tatís Jr.
Tatís in 2023
San Diego Padres – No. 23
Shortstop / Right fielder
Born: (1999-01-02) 2 January 1999
San Pedro de Macorís, Dominican Republic
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
MLB debut
28 March, 2019, for the San Diego Padres
MLB statistics
(through 2023 season)
Batting average.280
Home runs106
Runs batted in273
Teams
Career highlights and awards

Fernando Gabriel Tatís Medina Jr. (tah-TEES; born 2 January 1999), nicknamed "El Niño" or "Bebo",[1] is a Dominican professional baseball shortstop and right fielder for the San Diego Padres of Major League Baseball (MLB) he is currently playing winter baseball for the Estrellas Orientales of the Dominican Professional Baseball League. He is the son of former MLB player Fernando Tatís Sr. Tatís Jr. made his MLB debut in 2019, won the Silver Slugger Award in 2020, and was named an All-Star in 2021, before missing the 2022 season due to injury and a PED suspension.

Early life

Tatís was born in San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic. His father was already playing in his third year of professional baseball when Tatís was born, playing for the Cardinals at the time.[2] He spent a lot of time in big league clubhouses and was very athletic and held an interest in baseball from a young age. He often practiced with Robinson Cano, who is also from San Pedro de Macoris.[3]

Professional career

Minor leagues

The Chicago White Sox signed Tatís as an international free agent from the Dominican Prospect League in 2015.[4][5] On 4 June 2016, before he had played a professional game, the White Sox traded Tatís, then 17 years old, and Erik Johnson to the Padres for James Shields.[6][7] Tatís spent 2016 with the Arizona League Padres of the Rookie-level Arizona League and the Tri-City Dust Devils of the Class A-Short Season Northwest League,[8] batting a combined .273 with four home runs and 25 runs batted in (RBI) in 55 games; on defense, he made 15 errors and had a .904 fielding percentage.[9]

Tatís with the Fort Wayne TinCaps in 2017

In 2017, Tatís played 117 games for the Fort Wayne TinCaps of the Class A Midwest League and 14 games for the San Antonio Missions of the Class AA Texas League, posting a combined .278 batting average with 22 home runs, 75 RBI, and 32 stolen bases as he was caught 15 times, and on defense, he made 30 errors and had a .936 fielding percentage.[10][11][12] In 2017–18, he played 17 games at shortstop for the Estrellas de Oriente of the Dominican Winter League, batting .246 with one home run and three RBI.[9]

Tatís entered 2018 as one of the top prospects in the minor leagues.[13] He returned to play shortstop for San Antonio, and in 88 games he batted .286 with 16 home runs, 43 RBI, and 16 stolen bases.[9] On 23 July 2018, Tatís underwent season-ending surgery for a broken left thumb and ligament damage suffered during a head-first slide.[14] He returned to play for the Estrellas for the 2018–19 winter season.[15]

San Diego Padres (2019–2021, 2023–present)

2019 season

Tatís Jr. during his rookie season in 2019

At the beginning of 2019, Tatís was ranked as one of the top three prospects in baseball by MLB Pipeline, ESPN, Baseball America, and Baseball Prospectus.[16][17][18] On 26 March 2019, the Padres announced that Tatís made their Opening Day roster.[19] In his major league debut, he recorded two hits against the San Francisco Giants.[20] On 1 April 2019, Tatís hit his first major league home run.[21]

In August, Tatís injured his back, which ended his 2019 season.[22] He finished the season hitting .317/.379/.590 with 22 home runs, 61 runs, and 106 hits over 84 games.[23] He came in third place in balloting for the National League Rookie of the Year Award, behind Pete Alonso and Mike Soroka.[24]

2020 season

In the 2020 season, Tatís was part of a four-game streak in August in which the San Diego Padres hit four grand slams, and, notably, was at each base position over the four.[25] There was a controversy involving Tatís when he swung at a 3–0 pitch in the eighth inning, hitting an opposite-field grand slam against the Texas Rangers. This caused some discussion at the time regarding breaking an "unwritten rule of baseball" since the Padres were already up by seven runs.[26]

In 2020, Tatís led the NL in power-speed number (13.4) and batted .277/.366/.571 (10th in the league) with 50 runs (2nd), 17 home runs (2nd), 42 RBI (4th), and 11 stolen bases (4th) in 224 at-bats.[1] Of all major league hitters, he had the highest average exit velocity (95.9 MPH), percentage of hard-hit balls (62.2), and percentage of barrels/plate appearance (12.5%).[27]

In Game 2 of the 2020 Wild Card Series against the St. Louis Cardinals, Tatís was able to help bring the Padres back into winning position by hitting two home runs that made it possible for the Padres to win the series and head to the next round against the Dodgers, which they lost in three straight games.[28][29]

Tatís finished in fourth place for the National League MVP Award in 2020, behind Freddie Freeman, Mookie Betts, and his teammate Manny Machado.[30]

2021 season

Before the 2021 season, Tatís signed a 14-year, $340 million contract extension with the Padres, at the time the third-richest in MLB history, behind deals signed by Mike Trout and Mookie Betts, and the richest signed by a player not yet eligible for salary arbitration.[31] Part of Tatís's future earnings will be given to Big League Advance as part of an agreement Tatís made while in the minor leagues in order to receive early money that he used to "afford a personal trainer, higher quality food and better housing".[32]

On 5 April, Tatís sustained a left shoulder subluxation while swinging at a pitch during a game against the San Francisco Giants.[33] He was subsequently placed on the 10-day injured list, but avoided serious injury and returned to the Padres lineup on 16 April.[34]

Tatís Jr. hitting a ground ball during a game in the 2021 season

On 23 April, exactly 22 years after his father hit two grand slams in one inning, Tatís hit two home runs off of Clayton Kershaw, and he also hit two more home runs in another game off of Trevor Bauer. All four home runs took place at the same venue where Tatís's father made history as well. The Padres won 6–1.[35]

On 12 May, players from the San Diego Padres, including Tatís and Wil Myers, tested positive for COVID-19; Tatís was placed on the injured list due to COVID-19.[36] On 19 May, the Padres activated Tatís from the COVID-19 IL.[37]

On 2 June, Tatís was named the National League Player of the Month for the month of May, batting .353/.440/.824 with nine home runs, eight stolen bases, 26 RBIs, and 21 runs scored in 20 games.[38] On 25 June, Tatís had his first three-homer game in his career against the Arizona Diamondbacks to give the Padres an 11–5 win.[39]

On 1 July, Tatís was selected to start his first All-Star Game, becoming the first All-Star starter from the Padres since Tony Gwynn.[40] In a 6 July 2021, game, Tatís received media attention for an unusually high catch, which appeared to resemble a double jump typically seen in video games.[41][42] On 24 July, Tatís hit his 30th home run of the season, becoming the fourth Padres player to have hit 30 home runs and stolen 20 bases in a season, after Steve Finley, Wil Myers, and Ryan Klesko. He accomplished this feat over 82 games, the lowest for any player age 22 or younger.[43]

Tatís suffered a second left shoulder subluxation while playing against the Colorado Rockies on 30 July and was placed on the 10-day IL.[44] During his stint on the IL, Tatís trained with Padres first base coach Wayne Kirby to transition into an outfielder.[45] He was activated from the IL on 15 August and played right field in his first game back from injury.[46]

Tatís finished the 2021 season hitting .282/.364/.611 with 97 RBIs, 25 stolen bases, and an NL-leading 42 home runs.[47][48] He also led the majors in at-bats per home run (11.4), and the highest percentage of hard-hit balls (48%).[49] He won his second consecutive Silver Slugger Award[50] and finished third in NL MVP voting behind Bryce Harper and Juan Soto.[51]

2022 season

Tatís aboard the USS Anchorage (LPD-23) while recovering from surgery in 2022

On 16 March 2022, Tatís underwent surgery due to a fractured scaphoid bone suffered during the offseason. He was expected to return within three months.[52] Although the cause of the injury was not confirmed, general manager A. J. Preller alluded to a motorcycle accident that Tatís suffered in December 2021 in the Dominican Republic. When a reporter asked when his motorcycle accident occurred, Tatís replied "Which one?," suggesting that he had been involved in multiple such accidents in the 2021–22 offseason.[53]

On 12 August 2022, Tatís was suspended for 80 games after testing positive for Clostebol, an anabolic steroid. He stated this was from a medication he took to treat ringworm that he did not check for steroids, though skepticism arose from that claim.[54][55][56] On 27 August 2022, Adidas announced that they would be dropping Tatís from his sponsorship with the athletic company, citing, "We believe that sport should be fair," Adidas said in a statement via ESPN. "We have a clear policy on doping and can confirm that our partnership with Fernando Tatis Jr. will not continue."[57]

2023 season

As a result of punishment stemming from a failed drug test in 2022, Tatís missed the first 20 games of the 2023 season.[58] In 2023, while playing for the Padres' Triple-A affiliate El Paso Chihuahuas, he recorded 17 hits and 15 RBIs in 33 at bats, including a three home run, eight RBI game on April 13, 2023.[59][60] With the Padres signing free agent shortstop Xander Bogaerts, Tatis was moved to right field,[61] where he won a Gold Glove after leading all NL defenders with 27 Defensive Runs Saved. His 12 assists were the second most among NL outfielders, trailing only Lane Thomas.[62] He was also voted by fans as the winner of the Platinum Glove Award.[63]

Player profile

Tatís, a 6 ft 3 in, 217 lb (1.90 m, 98 kg) shortstop, is widely considered to be a five-tool player due to his various abilities.[64][65] In his 2021 season, Tatís hit 42 home runs, the most in the National League that year. He is only the fifth Padres player, ever, to hit 40+ home runs in a single season.[66] His .282 batting average in 2021 was the highest among leaderboard-qualified Padres batters. Tatís is among the fastest players in baseball, posting an average sprint speed of 29.3 feet per second through his first three seasons, and placing in the 98th percentile of all MLB baserunners in 2020.[67]

Despite receiving praise for his athleticism and throwing range, Tatís has been criticized for committing errors at a high rate. In 2019, he committed 18 errors, the fifth-most in MLB that season. Although he committed only three errors in the shortened 2020 season and raised his fielding percentage 40 points, to .984%, he committed 21 errors in 2021, the third-most in the league that year.[1] Critics have alleged that Tatís's highlight-reel defensive plays distract from his inconsistency on easy plays.[68] Although being credited as a subpar defender at shortstop, he has been touted as one of the best defenders since he moved to right field in 2023.[69]

Tatís has been credited as one of the most exciting star players in baseball. ESPN ranked him as the most entertaining MLB player in 2020.[70]

Personal life

Tatís's father, Fernando Sr., played third base in the major leagues from 1997 to 2010.[71] His mother is named Maria.[72][73] His younger brother, Elijah, was an infielder in the Chicago White Sox organization, signed in 2019.[7] Tatís is the cover athlete of MLB The Show 21, and at age 22 the youngest player to be featured as the cover star.[74]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Fernando Tatís Jr. Stats". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved 22 February 2021.
  2. ↑ "Padres phenom Tatis Jr. born to play in the big leagues". USA Today. Associated Press. 2 March 2018. Retrieved 17 June 2021.
  3. ↑ Cooper, J.J (12 April 2018). "The Son Also Rises". Baseball America. Retrieved 17 June 2021.
  4. ↑ Sanchez, Jesse (2 July 2015). "Tatis Jr. among White Sox finds on int'l market". MLB.com. Major League Baseball. Retrieved 21 October 2017.
  5. ↑ "Fernando Tatis Jr. – Dominican Prospect League". dplbaseball.com. 8 September 2020. Retrieved 18 February 2021.
  6. ↑ Van Schouwen, Daryl (4 June 2016). "Padres trade James Shields to the White Sox". suntimes.com. Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved 4 June 2016.
  7. 1 2 Harrigan, Thomas (10 April 2019). "White Sox, Elijah Tatis agree to deal (source)". MLB.com. Major League Baseball. Retrieved 1 May 2019.
  8. ↑ Miller, Bryce (7 October 2016). "Padres prospects Reed, Tatis Jr. bond over beats, baseball". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved 21 October 2017.
  9. 1 2 3 "Fernando Tatis Jr. Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved 29 December 2018.
  10. ↑ "Fernando Tatis Jr. Stats, Highlights, Bio". MiLB.com. Minor League Baseball. Retrieved 22 February 2021.
  11. ↑ Sanders, Jeff (24 May 2017). "Fernando Tatis Jr. already a man among boys at Fort Wayne". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved 21 October 2017.
  12. ↑ Leboff, Michael (12 July 2017). "TinCaps' Tatis Jr. taking after his father". MiLB.com. Minor League Baseball. Retrieved 21 October 2017.
  13. ↑ Acee, Kevin (28 February 2018). "Fernando Tatis shows confidence, defense, also hits". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved 29 December 2018.
  14. ↑ "Fernando Tatis Jr., minor league for San Diego Padres, has thumb surgery". ESPN.com. ESPN. Associated Press. 24 July 2018. Retrieved 29 December 2018.
  15. ↑ Maun, Tyler (23 December 2018). "Tatis teeing off in Winter League playoffs". MiLB.com. Minor League Baseball. Retrieved 29 December 2018.
  16. ↑ Gilberto, Gerard (26 January 2019). "Vlad Jr. tops new prospect rankings". MiLB.com. Minor League Baseball. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
  17. ↑ Sanders, Jeff (30 January 2019). "Padres' Fernando Tatis Jr. is No. 1 on ESPN's top-prospects list". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
  18. ↑ Sanders, Jeff (23 January 2019). "Where Padres landed on Baseball America, Baseball Prospectus lists". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
  19. ↑ "Top prospect Tatis on Padres' Opening Day roster". ESPN.com. ESPN. Associated Press. 26 March 2019. Retrieved 29 March 2019.
  20. ↑ Cassavell, AJ (28 March 2019). "Fernando Tatis Jr. debuts for Padres". MLB.com. Retrieved 29 March 2019.
  21. ↑ Cassavell, AJ (1 April 2019). "Tatis Jr. hits 1st MLB HR; dad will get ball". MLB.com. Major League Baseball. Retrieved 22 February 2021.
  22. ↑ Casella, Paul (16 August 2019). "Tatis placed on IL, 'most likely done' for '19". MLB.com. Major League Baseball. Retrieved 18 February 2021.
  23. ↑ "Fernando Tatis Jr. Stats". ESPN.com. ESPN. Retrieved 22 February 2021.
  24. ↑ DiComo, Anthony (11 November 2019). "Alonso runs away with NL Rookie of the Year". MLB.com. Major League Baseball. Retrieved 18 February 2021.
  25. ↑ Clair, Michael (21 August 2020). "Fernando Tatis Jr. has a grand slam 'cycle'". MLB.com. Major League Baseball. Retrieved 22 February 2021.
  26. ↑ Lindbergh, Ben (19 August 2020). "Fernando Tatis Jr. Proved That MLB's Battle Over Unwritten Rules Is Already Over". theringer.com. The Ringer. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
  27. ↑ "Statcast Leaderboard". baseballsavant.com. Statcast. Retrieved 22 February 2021.
  28. ↑ "Tatis, Myers hit 2 HRs each to join Ruth, Gehrig". ESPN.com. Associated Press. 2 October 2020. Retrieved 28 July 2021.
  29. ↑ "2020 NL Division Series - Los Angeles Dodgers over San Diego Padres (3-0)". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 28 July 2021.
  30. ↑ Walker, Ben (12 November 2020). "Machado, Tatis finish in top 5 in NL MVP race". fox5sandiego.com. KSWB-TV. Retrieved 13 February 2021.
  31. ↑ Passan, Jeff (17 February 2021). "San Diego Padres, Fernando Tatis Jr. agree on 14-year, $340 million deal". ESPN.com. ESPN. Retrieved 17 February 2021.
  32. ↑ Blum, Ronald (20 April 2021). "Moneyball: Tatis took cash as prospect, owes part of fortune". AP NEWS. Retrieved 28 July 2021.
  33. ↑ Cassavell, AJ (6 April 2021). "Tatis injures shoulder while striking out". MLB.com. Retrieved 20 August 2021.
  34. ↑ Cassavell, AJ (17 April 2021). "Tatis comes off IL, homers in loss to Dodgers". MLB.com. Retrieved 20 August 2021.
  35. ↑ Stephen, Eric (23 April 2021). "Death, taxes, and Fernando Tatis hitting two home runs at Dodger Stadium on April 23". True Blue LA. SB Nation. Retrieved 31 May 2021.
  36. ↑ Cassavell, AJ (12 May 2021). "Tatis, Myers test positive for COVID". MLB.com. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
  37. ↑ Cassavell, AJ (19 May 2021). "Tatis, Hosmer return from COVID IL". MLB.com. Retrieved 30 July 2021.
  38. ↑ Adler, David (2 June 2021). "Tatis, Semien named May's top players". MLB.com. Retrieved 1 August 2021.
  39. ↑ Cassavell, AJ (26 June 2021). "'He's so good': Tatis wows in 1st 3-HR game". MLB.com. Retrieved 28 July 2021.
  40. ↑ Ladson, Bill (1 July 2021). "In like Gwynn: Tatis an All-Star starter". MLB.com. Retrieved 28 July 2021.
  41. ↑ Dator, James (6 July 2021). "Fernando Tatis Jr. defied the laws of physics on this DOUBLE JUMP". SBNation.com. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
  42. ↑ Curtis, Charles (6 July 2021). "Fernando Tatis Jr. double-jumped in mid-air for this insane grab like a video game character". For The Win. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
  43. ↑ McCann, Savannah (24 July 2021). "Tatis tallies No. 30, makes history in loss". MLB. Retrieved 26 July 2021.
  44. ↑ Snyder, Matt; Axisa, Mike (30 July 2021). "Padres place star shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. on injured list with shoulder injury for second time in 2021". CBSSports.com. Retrieved 16 August 2021.
  45. ↑ Acee, Kevin (8 August 2021). "Tatis continues to work toward move to outfield for Padres". San Diego Union Tribune. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
  46. ↑ Sanchez, Jesse (15 August 2021). "Might in right: Tatis hits 2 HRs, plays outfield". MLB.com. Retrieved 16 August 2021.
  47. ↑ "Fernando Tatis Jr. 2021 Batting Game Logs". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
  48. ↑ "2021 National League Batting Leaders". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
  49. ↑ "Major League Leaderboards » 2021 » Batters » Batted Ball Statistics | FanGraphs Baseball". www.fangraphs.com.
  50. ↑ Acee, Kevin (11 November 2021). "Padres' Fernando Tatis Jr. wins second straight Silver Slugger". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
  51. ↑ Acee, Kevin (18 November 2021). "Tatis finishes third in NL MVP voting". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
  52. ↑ Axisa, Mike (16 March 2022). "Fernando Tatis Jr. injury: Padres star undergoes surgery for fractured wrist, could be out up to three months". CBSSports.com. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  53. ↑ Koons, Zach (15 March 2022). "Fernando Tatis Jr. Gives Concerning Answer About Off-Season Motorcycle Accidents". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
  54. ↑ Whitley, David (16 August 2022). "Sports cheaters would be better off just admitting their mistakes | David Whitley". Gainesville Sun. Retrieved 7 January 2023.
  55. ↑ Draper, Kevin (26 August 2022). "Ringworm? Tatis's Explanations Stretch Common Sense, Experts Say". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 7 January 2023.
  56. ↑ Passan, Jeff (12 August 2022). "San Diego Padres star Fernando Tatis Jr. suspended 80 games for PED violation". ESPN.com. Retrieved 12 August 2022.
  57. ↑ McCarty, Andrew (27 August 2022). "Fernando Tatis Jr. Loses Major Endorsement After Suspension". The Spun. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
  58. ↑ Franco, Anthony (6 January 2023). "Fernando Tatis Jr. Cleared To Begin Baseball Activities". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved 7 January 2023.
  59. ↑ "Fernando Tatis Jr. #23". Minor League Baseball. Retrieved 17 April 2023.
  60. ↑ Deaver, Colin (14 April 2023). "Tatis Jr. hits 3 home runs in 5-hit, 8-RBI night as Chihuahuas win 19-6". KTSM 9 News. Retrieved 11 August 2023.
  61. ↑ Wilson, Benie (18 April 2023). "Padres hope Tatis brings energy, maturity when PED ban ends". The San Diego Union Tribune. Associated Press. Retrieved 11 November 2023.
  62. ↑ Sanders, Jeff (5 November 2023). "Padres' Fernando Tatis Jr., Ha-Seong Kim both bring home Gold Gloves". The San Diego Union Tribune. Retrieved 11 November 2023.
  63. ↑ Sanders, Jeff (10 November 2023). "Fans help make Padres' Fernando Tatis Jr. a Platinum Glove winner". The San Diego Union Tribune. Retrieved 11 November 2023.
  64. ↑ Verlander, Ben (31 May 2021). "MLB Weekly Roundup: Tatis Jr. is the first two-time 'six-tool player of the week'!". Fox Sports. Retrieved 13 July 2022.
  65. ↑ Leboff, Michael (12 July 2017). "TinCaps' Tatis Jr. taking after his father". MiLB.com. MLB Advanced Media. Retrieved 13 July 2022.
  66. ↑ Anderson, R. J. (23 September 2021). "Padres' Fernando Tatis Jr. records fifth 40-homer season in franchise history vs. Giants". CBSSports.com. Paramount Global. Retrieved 13 July 2022.
  67. ↑ "Fernando Tatis Jr. Statcast". Baseball Savant. MLB Advanced Media. Retrieved 13 July 2022.
  68. ↑ Clemens, Ben (28 January 2020). "Fernando Tatis Jr., Defensive Conundrum". FanGraphs. Retrieved 13 July 2022.
  69. ↑ Lin, Dennis (18 June 2023). "Is Fernando Tatis Jr. already the best defensive right fielder in baseball?". The Athletic. The New York Times. Retrieved 17 July 2023.
  70. ↑ Miller, Sam (11 September 2020). "Fernando Tatis Jr. and MLB's 100 most entertaining players". ESPN. Retrieved 13 July 2022.
  71. ↑ Sanders, Jeff (28 September 2017). "Fernando Tatis Jr. groomed for big future in baseball". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved 29 December 2018.
  72. ↑ Passan, Jeff (10 August 2020). "Fernando Tatis Jr. is bringing joy back to baseball". ESPN.com. ESPN. Retrieved 10 August 2020.
  73. ↑ Cooper, J.J. (12 April 2018). "The Son Also Rises". baseballamerica.com. Baseball America. Retrieved 12 August 2020.
  74. ↑ Russell, Ramone (1 February 2021). "Introducing our MLB The Show 21 cover athlete Fernando Tatis Jr". playstation.com. PlayStation Blog. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
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