Padres' Fernando Tatis Jr. deservingly earns top spot in latest MVP poll

Fernando Tatis Jr. is doing the thing. The 26-year old is finally playing like a superstar again. In the two years since his PED suspension, Tatis slashed .269/.329/.467, playing at a 5.2 bWAR pace. Those numbers are not bad, but they felt poor compared to his 166 OPS+, 6.6 bWAR campaign as a 22-year old in 2021.

This year, Tatis Jr. is back to being a star. He's hitting .321, slugging .557, and boasts a 162 OPS+. With eight home runs and eight stolen bases across his first 34 games, he is chasing a 40-40 season (currently on pace for 37 home runs and 37 steals). He's driven in 19 runs, scored 26, and put up 2.3 bWAR, putting him on pace for a 10-WAR season.

Now, he's being recognized for his efforts.

MLB.com's first MVP poll gives Fernando Tatis Jr. the advantage

In their first MVP poll of the 2025 season, a team of 46 experts voted Fernando Tatis Jr. as the best player so far in the senior circuit.

"Tatis is back to hitting like a superstar," writes MLB.com's Jason Foster.

Tatis Jr. recieved 16 out of 46 first-place votes in what was a very close vote. Pete Alonso came in right behind him and actually recieved one more first-place vote. Dodgers star and reigning MVP Shohei Ohtani came in third with eight first place votes. Cubs outfielder Kyle Tucker was fourth with four first-place votes, and Diamondbacks outfielder Corbin Carroll placed fifth.

No other Padre received a vote from any of the 46 voters.

Could Tatis Jr. actually win his first MVP award?

The short answer there is, yes! Tatis has been one of the national league's best players this year. His combination of average, power, speed, and defense makes him a true star. He is a five-tool player, and he's been playing like it so far this year.

However, it is a crowded field. Pete Alonso is slashing .341/.463/.659. That's no joke; his OPS is almost 200 points higher than Tatis Jr.'s. Ohtani, with 10 home runs and 10 steals, is on pace for his second 40-40 season, and he might pitch at some point this year. Tucker is carrying the entire Cubs offense on his back, with 31 RBIs and a .559 slugging percentage.

What can Tatis do to help stand out?

Tatis Jr. does have a leg up on both of his top contenders. Unlike Alonso, a first baseman, and Ohtani, a DH, Tatis Jr. plays elite defense at a valuable position. A Gold Glove could help boost his MVP candidacy, but more importantly, defense helps him acquire WAR.

The good news for Tatis Jr. is that he does not necessarily have to finish the season with the best slash-line in the National League to lead the league in WAR. Currently, his 2.3 bWAR ranks second behind Alonso (2.4) and his 2.1 fWAR is tied for fifth. If Tatis Jr. can keep hitting the way he is while playing elite defense, he will continue to rack up WAR.

Another way Tatis can help himself stand out is by going 40-40. There are a lot of players in the national league who have their eyes set on a 40-40 season. Among them are Ohtani, Tucker, James Wood, Pete Crow-Armstrong, and Oneil Cruz. With so many players aiming for such a difficult feat, there is one way Tatis can stand out for the crowd; actually achieving it.

The difference between a 39-39 season and a 40-40 season, in the eyes of voters, could be massive.

Team success will help

Finally, the Padres can help Tatis Jr. reach his MVP heights with a simple accomplishment - the top seed in the National League. Yes, it's a difficult line to cross. Yes, it means getting past the Dodgers, Mets, and Phillies. But it's the one thing that could help Tatis Jr. set himself apart from his top contenders.

If Tatis Jr., Ohtani, and Alonso are still neck and neck at the end of the season, team success becomes a factor in the MVP race. And if the Padres are once again finishing in a wild card spot, while the Dodgers and Mets battle it out for the top seed, it will be a tough call for voters to give the award to Tatis Jr. over Ohtani or Alonso.

If the Padres can eclipse the Dodgers and win the NL West, it would give Tatis Jr. a leg up over Ohtani, and a real argument for his first MVP award.