Get ready for a monster season, folks! Fernando Tatis Jr., the star right fielder for the San Diego Padres, is making bold statements about his upcoming years in baseball. With a confident stride and a clear head, Tatis believes he's entering the prime of his career, and he's not afraid to say it.
During the 2025 and 2026 Padres FanFest, Tatis made headlines with his media interviews. In 2025, he proclaimed himself the best player in baseball when healthy and focused. But here's where it gets controversial... In 2026, he addressed the mechanical issues that plagued his 2025 season, claiming they're now behind him. He assured fans that these issues, which he couldn't discuss in detail, won't affect his performance moving forward.
And this is the part most people miss: Tatis set a goal for himself - to deliver an MVP season and repay the loyal Padres fans for their support. He acknowledged his responsibility to improve and fulfill his promises.
Now, let's delve into the challenges Tatis has faced. Since his PED suspension, fans and critics have accused him of relying on steroids to achieve his earlier successes in 2020 and 2021. His journey as a major league player hasn't been without its hurdles. From a shoulder injury in 2021 that affected his swing to a wrist injury requiring two surgeries, Tatis has had his fair share of setbacks.
The wrist injury, in particular, has been a topic of speculation, with some linking it to his steroid use, despite his claims of treating ringworm. After returning from suspension and surgeries in 2023, Tatis' bat speed and exit velocity were diminished. Only he knows if this was a result of recovering from surgeries or a PED-related issue.
Let's look at the numbers. According to Baseball Savant, Tatis' average exit velocity in 2024 was 93.5, placing him in the 97th percentile. This is compared to his 2020 season, where he hit an impressive 95.9, ranking him in the 100th percentile. His hard-hit percentage in 2024 was also exceptional, at the 99th percentile, just slightly below his 2020 performance of 100th percentile.
In 2025, his exit velocity dropped slightly to 93.3, still an impressive 95th percentile. His hard-hit percentage also decreased to the 93rd percentile, and his bat speed fell to the 77th percentile. The most intriguing stat, however, is his sweet spot percentage. Typically in the 40-45% range when he's hitting well, it dropped to a mere 4% in 2025, the lowest of his career.
As a result, his power and slugging percentage took a hit, and he made constant adjustments to his swing throughout the season. Despite this, his K-rate and walk rate were the best of his career, and he had the lowest chase rate.
So, what does this all mean? Apart from his launch angle, which has been inconsistent, the main issue with Tatis' swing last season was his inability to consistently hit the sweet spot. All other indicators suggest he's very much the same player who broke into the Padres lineup in 2019 and had an outstanding 2020.
Is this a mechanical issue that can be fixed? Tatis seems confident, stating that he's addressed these issues and expects this season to be the start of his most successful period.
The key to silencing the steroid allegations lies in Tatis' performance. If he can match or surpass his pre-suspension achievements and maintain consistency while undergoing regular PED testing, he can prove his critics wrong.
There's no denying that Tatis Jr. is determined to be that exceptional player again. His love and dedication to his team and the fans are evident, and he wants to deliver a performance that showcases his true potential. This season, we hope to see the real Tatis, and we can't wait to see what he has in store!
