Padres News: Fernando Tatis Wins Premier Fielding Award in First Season in Outfield

The star slugger is improving mightly on his defense

San Diego Padres superstar slugger Fernando Tatis Jr. has won the 2023 Rawlings Platinum Glove for the National League for his defensive performance in right field. 

Presenting the 2023 Rawlings Platinum Glove Winners for the National and American League!

Congratulations to Fernando Tatis Jr. & Andrés Giménez! #TeamRawlings pic.twitter.com/wDScOu3tRK

— Rawlings Baseball (@RawlingsSports) November 11, 2023

Out of the 141 games he played this season, he played in 139 of them in the outfield and 137 of them in right field. In right field, he collected 282 putouts, 12 assists, one double play turned, and a fielding percentage of .980. 

Tatis Jr. spent the early part of his career at the shortstop position, but due to his injury in 2022 and his suspension, others like Ha-Seong Kim stepped up, and the 24-year-old was moved to the outfield. 

The one-time All-Star has improved mightily on his defense in the outfield, which showed this past season. Tatis had a 2.3 Defensive WAR, ranked fourth in the National League. 

Tatis has made a name for himself for his spectacular offensive skills, but he's quietly becoming one of the premium defenders in the league. We'll see what else he has in store for us come 2024, but congrats to Tatis Jr on this incredible accomplishment.

He already won the Gold Glove in right field this season, and now he comes away with the Platinum Glove as the premier fielder in the National League this season.