Padres News: MLB stars recognize Fernando Tatis Jr. MVP status

Fernando Tatis Jr. is off to a blazing start for the Padres, and the potential NL MVP has gotten the attention of his peers.

At 21 years of age, Fernando Tatis Jr. is becoming must-see tv, as it seems like the world stops and watches his at-bats. The Padres superstar is literally making history before our eyes, and he’s also showing what 2019 could have looked like had he remained healthy. Still, the then 20-year-old Tatis hit 22 home runs and drove in 53 runs in 84 games while finishing third in the NL Rookie of the Year voting.

Entering Thursday’s finale with the Rangers, Tatis is leading the majors in home runs (12), RBI (29), stolen bases (6), runs (25), and total bases (76). And his peers have taken notice with Ronald Acuna, Jr., Vladimir Guerrero, Jr., and Juan Soto have already proclaimed the former White Sox farmhand as the league’s MVP.

And while it doesn’t get enough attention, Tatis has taken an enormous leap forward fielding the ball at shortstop. He has yet to commit an error with 214.0 innings logged at the position. For comparison’s sake, he had 18 errors in 731.1 innings last season. He is excelling in all phases of the game, and it is so much fun to watch.

Tatis was part of the controversy of baseball’s unwritten rules when he swung 3-0, sending a grand slam deep into the night, much to the displeasure of his own manager and Rangers manager Chris Woodward.

El Nino delivered an apology after the game, but his apology was heavily critiqued by the rest of the league, indicating he had nothing to be sorry for. Hitters want to hit the ball. This is not college football, where old-school head coaches run the clock out, so as not to disrespect their opponent.

I love the support Tatis has received around the league for not only Monday night’s actions but also his 2020 season in general. He’s truly a remarkable player, and baseball may never see another one like him, especially one that’s so formidable at such a young age. Let’s enjoy this Padres fans…and extend Tatis for life.