Padres News: AJ Preller Views Fernando Tatis Jr. as Right Field Weapon Despite Early Struggles

The Padres GM was comfortable with the position switch for a reason.

Anybody that decided to panic after the Padres' first loss of the season should remember that in about 20 days, a franchise cornerstone is slated to return to the team. He may be in the same shortstop position that he broke out in when he was young but Fernando Tatis Jr's return is among us.

Even though he did not seem the most excited to switch to the right field, he has fully embraced it now and understands that he needs to do whatever it takes to help the team this season. Tatis is going to get plenty of opportunities to impress at the plate but on defense he now has the opportunity to add a whole new element to his game.

The Padres never doubted El Niño, even when he made some mistakes in early Cactus League games, and he has just grown more comfortable in that spot as his season debut gets closer. A.J. Preller is one of his biggest advocates and spoke on exactly why he believes Tatis has been making strides in the outfield compared to when he first got there,

Oh it’s just Fernando Tatis Jr casually moving from SS to RF and replicating a throw we would see from an Ichiro or Roberto Clemente highlight reel, no big deal

The Padres are gonna be so fun pic.twitter.com/IsJ3LnDYs3

— Calico Joe (@CalicoJoeMLB) March 27, 2023

"It's not easy to play in right field and I think early on, he was just getting by on athleticism," said Preller. "As the camp went on, you start seeing him get more comfortable: first steps, tracking, routes, reads. The arm looks like it's going to be a weapon for us in right field. The accuracy of the arm is probably the nicest thing. He's thrown out some balls that will make it very easy for Manny to tag out runners." (Via Marty Caswell)

It is Tatis' athleticism that makes his potential as a right-fielder so scary. He has also proven to be one of the fastest and high-jumping infielders we've ever seen and the 24-year-old now looks to master this new position as well.

The ceiling for the Friars the next few years is sky-high if he is able to do so. Many doubters looked at his early Spring Training performances and thought he was washed. However, to think that he hasn't played in about two years and is making plays like these is incredible.

What You Need to Know, continued…

Fernando Tatis Jr. made this sliding catch in right field and another nice play catching a fly ball up against the wall.

Tatis Jr. went 0-for-3 at the plate, and is still searching for his first Cactus League hit. pic.twitter.com/1zTAdQZnWV

— Sammy Levitt (@SammyLev) March 4, 2023

Fernando Tatis Jr. looks healthy and will hit the ground running at right field. Tatis Jr. is eligible to return on April 20th.pic.twitter.com/MiZrbof2yC

— Sebastian Sanchez (@Ssanchez_16) March 18, 2023