Padres News: Fernando Tatis Jr Hopes to Play Shortstop Again Some Day
The San Diego Padres have seen some real struggles this season, but they are determined to continue on to reach the postseason. They have started to play a little better of late, but they still find themselves down a few games in the National League wild-card standings.
It’s going to take an entire team effort to get them back into contention, and they know it won’t be easy. But one of the biggest positives of the season has been the stellar play of Fernando Tatis Jr out in right field. He made the transition over to the position this season for the first time, and the results have been incredible.
But despite all the success that Fernando Tatis Jr. has seen this season out in right field, he hopes to return to his shortstop position one day.
Tatis acknowledged shortstop was his first love “and probably in the future, I don’t know, I will probably be at shortstop once again.”
Tatis Jr. playing right field allows the Padres major flexibility to create different lineups and move things around in their roster. His versatility has been a major part of his success, and he said that it stems from his dad teaching him at a young age. The elder Tatis played for 11 seasons and took on different roles thoughout his career.
“That was one of the key factors why his career lasted a little longer,” Tatis said, “because he was able to play in every position.”
No matter where Tatis Jr. played on the field, he just makes plays. But he seems to be a better right fielder than he was a shortstop.
“I definitely have better results (in right field),” Tatis said. “I feel like at shortstop it was more (that) I was immature. I had so many tools, and I didn’t know how to control my tools.”
He was already a valuable player to the Padres, but this added defense has made him even more indispensable. As the Friars continue their season, Tatis Jr. will be a major part of their success. He could easily win a Gold Glove this season and it will be well deserved.
