Fernando Tatis Jr. at Second Base? You Read That Right!

No, it’s not a typo. In a stunning turn of events, Fernando Tatis Jr. took the field as the Padres’ starting second baseman Saturday night against the Rockies at Petco Park. This marked the two-time Platinum Glove Award-winning right fielder’s first career start at the position.

Tatis initially broke into the Major Leagues as a shortstop before transitioning to the outfield in 2023. While he made a brief appearance at second base late in a game on September 6, 2023, and logged 10 games there in the Minor Leagues, this was a completely unexpected move.

A Plan in the Making

According to Padres manager Craig Stammen, this wasn’t a spur-of-the-moment decision. “We’ve been planning this for a little while,” Stammen revealed. Since moving to the outfield, Tatis has consistently practiced infield drills, primarily focusing on second base. He enjoys the position, noting the familiar angles off the bat compared to right field.

The timing was also influenced by the Padres’ current roster situation. With Sung-Mun Song sidelined due to a left oblique strain, and Ty France not being a natural fit at second, the team needed a reliable backup when Xander Bogaerts was given a day off. Jake Cronenworth was slated to move to shortstop, leaving second base open – and Tatis was the surprising answer.

Why Tatis at Second?

“Trying to figure out a way to get Jake and Xander some days off coming up,” Stammen explained. “Felt like Tatis was the best option at second base. And the most fun and exciting option at second base.”

While this isn’t expected to become a regular occurrence – Tatis remains the team’s primary right fielder – Stammen emphasized Tatis’ exceptional athleticism. “He’s an amazing athlete, can do about anything,” Stammen said. “We’re just really confident in who he is as a person, who he is as an athlete. You put something in front of him, he’ll be able to do anything.”

What to Expect?

The Padres can now utilize Nick Castellanos in right field, where he excelled with the Philadelphia Phillies, while Tatis takes on duties at second. However, with Song’s anticipated return from rehab with Triple-A El Paso, he’ll likely resume his role as the primary infield backup.

Data on Tatis’ performance at second base is limited. He didn’t play the position during Spring Training, and his only inning there in 2023 provided minimal insight. The move to the outfield was initially driven by his athleticism and arm strength, as well as concerns about throwing errors while playing shortstop. The shorter throw from second base could alleviate those concerns.

Can This Spark Tatis’ Offense?

Tatis has been struggling at the plate, hitting just .189 with a .519 OPS through 14 games. However, batted-ball data suggests he’s been unlucky, making solid contact without consistent results. Stammen hopes that focusing on a new position might help Tatis relax and rediscover his natural talent. “Maybe him concentrating on playing second base unlocks him at the plate,” Stammen said. “He stops thinking so much about it and just uses his natural talent.”

The Padres are betting that this unexpected challenge will energize Tatis and potentially break his offensive slump. Only time will tell if this bold move pays off.

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