Fernando Tatis Jr. is ready to turn the page on a tumultuous few years and prove his dominance on the baseball field. After battling injuries and a suspension, the San Diego Padres star is confident he can reach his full potential.
Fernando Tatis Jr. is looking to finally put it all together for the San Diego Padres . The biggest obstacle he's faced has been staying healthy. A string of injuries and a performance-enhancing drug suspension have sidelined him for 261 games since his rookie year in 2019. Last season, he missed 60 games due to a stress reaction in his thigh. But if Tatis can just stay on the field, he's a game-changer. We saw glimpses of that in the playoffs when he posted an absurd 1.
291 OPS in seven postseason games. Tatis says he's feeling better than he has since the 2020 offseason, and his confidence is sky high. 'I haven't felt this good since the offseason of 2020, coming to 2021,' said Tatis, referring to the 2021 season, after which he finished third in the MVP balloting after smashing 42 home runs in 130 games. 'Feels great. My body's in a great spot, and my swing is in an amazing spot. Definitely looking forward to what this year is going to be.' Tatis acknowledges the talent throughout the league, but he believes when he's healthy and focused, he's second to none on the field. 'I feel like I'm second to no one on the baseball field,' Tatis said. 'Players, they're so good right now at this time of the baseball era, it only makes you want to be better and get better,' he added. 'So, I'm definitely on that road and looking forward to be the best version of myself out there.' The last part is encouraging for Padres fans because Tatis's focus on being the best version of himself extends beyond the diamond. Since his breakout 2021 season, Tatis has faced personal challenges, including a motorbike accident that broke his wrist and an 80-game suspension for using a banned substance. He says these experiences have taught him valuable life lessons. 'You just grow,' Tatis said. 'I’m definitely more mature. You know, turning into a man, and growing pains, is different for people. You learn different ways, and, in my case, I feel like everybody, almost, has seen it. It's to the public. Just embracing every single battle, you know? I mean, what I've been through, I feel like it has made me today. I feel like I just keep evolving and just keep getting better as a human being, and just keep getting better as a baseball player. I know what I'm capable of. I’m still having to show it out there to 100%, so I’m just really looking forward to that.' At 26 years old, Tatis is entering his seventh season in the MLB spotlight. His potential is undeniable, and if he can stay healthy and focused, he could be on the verge of a dominant season
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