When Fernando Tatis Jr. confirmed as much as San Diego Padres spring coaching blasting residence runs in batting observe, followers had a tough time containing their pleasure.
Nevertheless, a pair weeks later, a few of those self same followers are having bother containing their fear as Tatis is but to get a success after almost two weeks of Cactus League video games. Seeing his first in-game motion since 2021, Tatis is 0-for-13 on the plate with simply two walks to point out for his offensive efforts.
Nevertheless, Padres supervisor Bob Melvin stays unfazed by Tatis’ spring droop.
Melvin spoke with reporters concerning Fernando Tatis Jr.’s figuring out of the kinks on Thursday:
“He will hit. … The very last thing I am frightened about is Fernando Tatis hitting or not.”
For his half, Tatis will not be involved both. He advised Sports activities Illustrated earlier this week:
“Recreation by recreation, I see extra balls off the bat, I see extra several types of spin, I see completely different changes and I really feel like each recreation I am on the market, I really feel higher each time. I’ve acquired nothing to fret about. … I really feel like I am swinging on the proper pitches, and that is what I am specializing in proper now.”
Whereas Fernando Tatis Jr. is eligible to play in spring coaching video games, he stays underneath suspension till April 20 after failing a performance-enhancing drug check final April. Despite the fact that seeing their celebrity take the sphere once more for the primary time because the finish of the 2021 season has been a welcome sight for the Padres, it will take time to shake the rust off – which is precisely the purpose of spring coaching.
Melvin spoke on this level with reporters Thursday:
“That is what occurs. You go in with a mindset that you have not performed in fairly a while. … When you do not see outcomes, you get a little bit bit extra aggressive. That is simply pure.”
Fernando Tatis Jr. seemingly able to put 2022 behind him
Fernando Tatis Jr. was nicely on his method to changing into one of many principal poster children of MLB after a stellar first three main league seasons. He was third within the 2019 Nationwide League Rookie of the Yr balloting, positioned fourth within the 2020 NL Most Priceless Participant vote and was third within the 2021 MVP chase.
Over three seasons, he logged a .292 batting common with a .965 WHIP. He led the NL with 42 residence runs in 2021 and made his first All-Star Recreation look.
Nevertheless, an offseason bike accident stored him off the sphere for a lot of the 2022 season. Then, simply earlier than he was about to return in August, MLB handed down the PED suspension and ended his 12 months.
Nonetheless simply 24 years outdated, Tatis has loads of time to make up for the misplaced season because the on-field chief of a star-studded Padres lineup in 2023.