MLB's most popular jersey list of 2023 includes San Diego Padres' All-Star snub Fernando Tatis Jr.

In case you needed another reason to believe Fernando Tatis Jr. of the San Diego Padres was a 2023 All-Star snub ... we have one right here.

The Padres' superstar placed third in MLB's official ranking of most popular player jerseys of the first half this season, trailing only fellow superstars Ronald Acuña Jr. and Shohei Ohtani of the Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Angels, respectively.

2 San Diego Padres rank among the most popular MLB jerseys of the 2023 season's first half

Joining Tatis Jr. on the list is fellow San Diego teammate Manny Machado, who ranked 19th out of a possible 20 entries, finishing ahead of the Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw.

Ronald Acuña Jr. and Shohei Ohtani lead MLB with the most popular player jerseys of the first half of the 2023 season. 14 of the top 20 players on the list were selected for the 2023 All-Star Game. pic.twitter.com/Jod2TCqhwz
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) July 10, 2023

Tatis Jr.'s popularity appears to extends beyond just the Friar Faithful if you're putting any stock into this list. And rightly so, given that the 24-year-old is one of the most dynamic talents in baseball and playing on a stacked, albeit underachieving, San Diego Padres team.

Perhaps MLB was trying to send a message about Tatis Jr.'s past recklessness in not making him an All-Star, as evidenced by motorcycle accident injuries and a recent PED suspension that sidelined the Padres' right fielder for all of 2022. His peers also had an opportunity to select him to the NL All-Star roster and acted against doing so, after he was similarly passed on in fan voting.

Regardless of how you feel about those circumstances, though, there's no denying the stardom of Fernando Tatis Jr. and how important his talent is to the game of baseball. This year's event in Seattle would undoubtedly be better with his presence. And baseball fans probably agree, given the enduring popularity of his jersey.

As mentioned earlier, Tatis Jr. is accompanied on the most popular jersey list by Padres' teammate Manny Machado, who has befallen on his own struggles this year. Despite the adversity, however, Machado continues to be a household name in baseball and one of the sport's most recognizable personalities.