San Diego Padres: Checking In On Fernando Tatis, Jr And Luis Urias

While the San Diego Padres struggle to make contact at the major league level, their top two hitting prospects continue to thrive on the farm.

One of the most difficult aspects of this season is watching the San Diego Padres and then flipping on the iPad to watch the El Paso Chihuahuas or San Antonio Missions. You want to scream, “just bring them up now!” but you don’t.

You want to remain calm and trust the process. It’s like that feeling you had as a kid when you got a new toy and could barely contain yourself as you waited to get home and rip it open.

The skill sets and tools of Fernando Tatis, Jr and Luis Urias have been well documented, instead, let’s take a quick look at some of the eye-popping numbers these two teenagers are putting up.

The month of May has been the month of Fernando Tatis, Jr.

Through the month of April, Tatis recorded a slash line of .177/.231/.333 with three home runs, six walks, four doubles, and 34 strikeouts. No need to worry, as Tatis has erupted in the month of May.

The top-ranked prospect in the Padres’ system, Tatis is hitting .349 over his last 10 games. Three of those games were three-hit performances. Overall, Tatis is slashing .342/.442/.632/1.055 this month with six home runs and 12 doubles. He has also notched five stolen bases.

Tatis is up to a 119 wRC+ and continues to deposit balls to all parts of the field. He is tied for second in the league in doubles (16) and tied for third in home runs (9). His 57 hits are good for top ten in the league, also. Best of all, Tatis is still only 19 years old.

Luis Urias and his falling on-base percentage.

Just kidding. Even after a promotion to AAA El Paso at the age of 20, Urias continues to be an on-base machine.

More from Friars on Base

The young infielder has played the majority of his games at second base, appearing in nine others at shortstop. Recently, the Padres have been putting Urias at third base. Makes you think a little, doesn’t it?

After 48 games in El Paso, Urias is hitting .271 with a .383 OBP, .414 slugging percentage, and a .798 OPS. He has contributed 11 doubles and tied his career-high in home runs with five. The third-ranked Padres’ prospect has even shown opposite field strength this season, just when you thought he had nothing else new to show us.

Even with a 38/29 K/BB ratio, Urias maintains a career ratio of 182 walks and 173 strikeouts. When he gets the call to the big leagues, he may double the total amount of walks the rest of team accumulates.

Next: Friars Win Two In A Row, Reyes Homers Again

El Paso and San Antonio games are broadcasted on MiLB.tv. These games don’t leave you with an empty feeling inside after they are done.

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