The San Diego Padres might not have expectations as high as they were when they entered the 2023 season. However, they still possess a talented roster, including one of the game's youngest and brightest stars, outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr.
Tatis Jr. is set for a huge season, and could see a lot of action as the team's leadoff hitter. If that's where manager Mike Shildt decides to put him, he looks forward to the opportunities.
“You start the game with a wild horse coming to the plate, So it’s a beautiful thing.”
Tatis is off to a decent start this spring, slashing .250/.350/.438 with one home run, five runs batted in and a .788 OPS.
A year ago, the 25-year-old was battling injuries and coming back from his performance enhancing drug suspension. He didn't play in his first game of the 2023 season until late April.
Things are different this season, and he's hoping for better results in 2024.
“There’s a build-up and there’s more security, there’s more strength in every single area and at the end there’s even more confidence, which I think is important.”
A healthy Tatis Jr. can make this Padres team a real threat. And he could be doing that from the first pitch of every game.
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