Fernando Tatis Jr. playing like more than just the Padres' MVP to start 2025 surge

After a brutal 2024 season, where Fernando Tatis Jr. played through a stress fracture many didn't know he'd sustained for weeks, he’s bounced back in 2025 with fire, focus, and ferocity. The numbers don’t lie: .358 batting average to open the week, a .429 on-base percentage, and a presence at the plate that demands respect.

What’s even more telling? He’s second on the Padres with 10 extra-base hits, carving gaps and crushing mistakes. His bat has become the thunder before the storm—loud, intimidating, and impossible to ignore.

Like a lion tracking his prey, Tatis sees only one thing on the horizon: the World Series. Big Cake, as he calls it. He’s not chasing personal accolades, though an MVP feels more possible than ever. He’s chasing legacy.

“Any time I’m on the field, they should be expecting that. That’s what I dedicate my work for, that’s what I dedicate my life for — is to win and it’s to win over here in San Diego,” Tatis told MLB.com back in 2021.

His confidence isn’t cocky; It’s earned. It's rooted in the relentless rehab, the early mornings, the off-field discipline that reshaped his outlook and his game.

And the Padres? They’ve followed his lead.

Padres have followed Fernando Tatis Jr.'s lead in early MVP push

San Diego has roared out of the gate with a 15-6 record, including a dominant 12-1 mark at home—tying the best start in franchise history, which was first set in 1984 and matched again in 1998. The 1998 Padres, led by the legendary Tony Gwynn, made the only other Padres World Series appearance in franchise history—only to fall to the New York Yankees. But it remains one of the proudest moments in the team's history.

In a season filled with echoes of the past, the present feels louder—and it’s led by No. 23.

Why Tatis Deserves MVP Recognition

If the first month of the 2025 season is any indication, Fernando Tatis Jr. isn’t just back—he’s better. And while San Diego fans have always known what he’s capable of, the national conversation is finally catching up.

MVP talk isn’t premature—it’s overdue. Tatis ranks among the top in the league in batting average, OPS, slugging, and total bases. His combination of power, speed, and defensive excellence in right field makes him one of the most complete players in baseball.

He’s not just padding stats, either. Tatis is clutch, consistently delivering in high-leverage moments. His early-season home runs have flipped games, energized crowds, and shifted momentum. Whether it’s a diving grab in the outfield or a laser down the line, his impact goes beyond the box score.

Leadership matters, too—especially in a clubhouse that went through growing pains last year. Tatis has shown emotional maturity, accountability, and a renewed hunger to lead this team not just to a winning record, but to championship contention. His bounce-back is more than a narrative—it's a masterclass in perseverance.

Historically, the MVP award has favored players who elevate their teams, both statistically and spiritually. Tatis is doing both; and doing it on a franchise with legitimate postseason aspirations.

If the Padres keep winning, and Tatis keeps producing at this rate, the MVP isn’t just a possibility; It might be inevitable.