3 reasons to believe in the San Diego Padres despite a poor start to 2023

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San Diego Padres superstar Fernando Tatis Jr. plays with the El Paso Chihuahuas during his rehab / Omar Ornelas/ El Paso Times / USA TODAY

Fernando Tatis Jr.'s impending return to the San Diego Padres

Eligible to return to the Padres coming off an 80-game PED suspension on April 20, superstar Fernando Tatis Jr. is the type of spark plug that can reinvigorate a bumbling San Diego squad.

The soon-to-be Padres' right fielder just went deep three times in a rehab game for the Triple-A El Paso Chihuahuas. Think he's ready for his much-anticipated return to big league action?

Fernando Tatis Jr. DESTROYED this homer for the @epchihuahuas.

115.1 mph | 451 ft. for the @Padres slugger, with a celebratory dance to boot: pic.twitter.com/cNNHOyrzKd
— Minor League Baseball (@MiLB) April 14, 2023

San Diego proved down the stretch last season that they were just fine without their superstar, as they made a deep playoff run, but there's no doubt Tatis Jr. makes them better.

For anyone who needs a reminder, the 24-year-old's last full season in 2021 saw him hit 42 home runs, good for a .975 OPS and 166 OPS+ despite only playing in 130 games due to shoulder issues. A Padres team that ranks just 23rd in runs scored per game in so far in 2023 will be ecstatic to welcome Tatis Jr. back to their already loaded lineup.

Right field at Petco Park beckons. And, when Tatis Jr. makes his return, don't be surprised when his team's performance improves. That won't be any coincidence.

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