Fernando Tatis Jr: A Defensive Superstar

Through a highlight reel of moonshots, incredible athleticism, and godly statistics Tatis almost immediately made himself one of the most exciting talents in baseball. By the end of his age 22 season, he had put together one of the most impressive offensive seasons ever by a shortstop mashing 42 homers. Despite his significant defensive struggles at shortstop where he committed 21 errors no one questioned Tatis’ greatness and potential.

A Year Lost

The only thing that could possibly stop Fernando’s continued greatness was himself. In 2022 disaster struck when Tatis missed the entire season due to a PED suspension and injuries. He was involved in multiple motorcycle accidents in the offseason, and he fractured his wrist.

Doubts

With the ink hardly dry on a $330 million deal many were left wondering if Tatis could become a disastrous contract. Truly valid questions like how much of his performance was because of PED’s? And would his off the field issues continue? Could he become the next superstar to throw it all away?

New Position

Entering 2023 Tatis was announced to be taking on a new position in right field. It would seem from that decision that the Padres didn’t have high hopes for Fernando’s defensive impact in the future.

Offensive Decline

In 2023 Tatis’ hitting dropped significantly. He managed to only hit 25 homeruns despite playing ten more games additionally his batting average, OBP and OPS all dropped considerably. Fernando managed to still be an elite hitter, but he hasn’t been the same since his PED suspension.

A Gold Glove Reinvention

This is where things get interesting, in 2023 Tatis as a right fielder he went from a defensive liability at shortstop to perhaps the game’s best defensive right fielder in his first year at the position. Showcasing incredible range and a very strong arm he won the Gold Glove and led in defensive metrics.

2.3 defensive WAR, the second most by any outfielder in 2023.

Led all right fielders in total zone runs.

Second amongst all fielders in total zone runs.

A Different Star

After a disastrous 2022 in 2023 Tatis did what we feared most, became a lesser hitter. Perhaps confirming the positive effect of performance enhancing drugs on his game. But in the same year he did something miraculous, he became one of the game’s best defenders.

I am deeply surprised at this turnaround, there were so many reasons for concern. I thought it was a real possibility he’d prove himself to be a superstar again, but I would have never guessed Tatis would reinvent himself like this. For all his troubles in 2022 you must give him credit for this reinvention. This isn’t normal, I have never seen a defensive liability become a Gold Glover in just one year.

The Future

I think in 2024 and the years ahead we can expect Tatis to improve his hitting but he’s a different superstar than we first met in 2019. After his PED suspension he’s reinvented himself, he’s no longer one of the game’s most dangerous hitters but his game is much more well-rounded.

In year 2 at right field, I think we can only expect improvement. In much of 2023 he was still learning the position yet managed to be the best defender in the MLB at right field.

References

·       OpenAI’s DALL-E graphic Generated March 5th, 2024

·        Stats and information pulled from Baseball Reference Fernando Tatis Jr. Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More | Baseball-Reference.com