Padres News: Fernando Tatis Jr Has High Hopes for 2024 Season

Could he win the NL MVP next year?

Returning from a PED suspension and injuries with a new attitude at a new position on defense, Padres superstar Fernando Tatis Jr. is feeling good about next season after a strong comeback season in 2023.

Looking ahead to their 2024 campaign already, the young right fielder mentioned a bunch of optimism headed into San Diego's final few weeks to close the year. 

“Definitely looking forward to that (in 2024),” Tatis said recently. “I mean, just being out of the game itself is not easy at all. And it’s proven — to be good at the game, you need to be playing the game. Simple as that. You can’t come out of nowhere and just be the same guy that you’ve always been. But I know for sure that next year is going to be a monster year, not only for myself but for the team. I know for sure next year is gonna be probably triple what I’m doing this year.”

via Dennis Lin, The Athletic

Due to a shoulder issue from a motorcycle crash and his subsequent suspension from a steroid scandal, Tatis Jr. was feeling quite low during 2022, but has rebounded in a big way. 

Back to his all-star form that we've all grown accustomed to, Tatis Jr. re-established himself as one of the game's very best stars at any position. 

Embracing a new mentality with a new defensive position, Tatis has ranked as the best defensive right fielder with both his strong arm and speedy range placing him atop many metrics for his value on that side of the ball. 

At the plate, Tatis has remained above average as one of the league's best power bats, homering again in the series against the Dodgers. 

Though 2023 overall will be a year to forget for the Padres as a team, Tatis Jr. wants better from himself and his teammates for 2024.