Tatis Jr.’s Career Track
San Diego Padres’ shortstop, Fernando Tatis Jr., has established himself as one of the premier players in the Major Leagues. An impressive 2020 campaign saw him amass 507 plate appearances over 60 games, while slashing .277/.366/.571 with 17 homers, 45 runs batted in, and 35 runs scored. Since his first full season in the majors in 2019, Tatis has set himself apart with an impressive amount of production and playmaking ability. Here’s an in-depth look at Tatis Jr.’s career track and how he broke onto the scene.
The Rise of Tatis Jr.
Tatis was signed by the Chicago White Sox in 2015 as an international free agent from the Dominican Republic. He was just 16 years old at the time, and the Sox landed him for a bonus of $700,000. However, just two years later, Tatis was traded to the Padres in a five-player blockbuster deal. Tatis began to shine during his stint in the minors, being named a MiLB.com Top 10 Prospect three times, and was eventually called up to the big leagues on April 28th, 2019.
Tear It Up in the Majors
Tatis wasted no time making an impact in his first full season in 2019, being named the National League Rookie of the Month in April. He posted a .317/.379/.590 triple-slash with eight homers and 11 RBIs that month, and went on to become the first rookie shortstop since Nomar Garciaparra in 1997 to be named an All Star. In all, Tatis hit 22 jacks and drove in 53 runs with a .317/.379/.590 triple-slash.
The 2020 Season and Beyond
Tatis was well on his way to surpassing his 2019 totals in 2020, but his season was unfortunately cut short due to injury. But in the limited time Tatis had on the field, he still produced stellar numbers. He hit 17 home runs, 45 RBIs and 35 runs scored, while also registering a .277/.366/.571 triple-slash.
Forecast for the Future
At only 21 years old, the sky is the limit for Tatis Jr. with his incredible athleticism and raw talent. Tatis is an early candidate for the 2021 MVP award and is widely seen as one of the top shortstops in the league. As he continues to hone his skills and refine his approach at the plate, Tatis looks poised to be a perennial MVP contender for years to come.
Conclusion
Fernando Tatis Jr. is on the fast track to stardom and is already being touted as one of the best players in baseball. With his tremendous athleticism and impressive ability to perform at the plate, there’s no doubt Tatis will be a force to be reckoned with in the years to come.
