With all that he has already achieved, we sometimes forget how young Fernando Tatis Jr. is. For example, at this time, you may need a friendly reminder that Tatis is 22 years old.
That’s right: Tatis’ birthday is the second day of the calendar year, a day after the birthday of his father and former Major League Soccer player Fernando Tatis Sr. (no, we’re not kidding, you can check it out). And Tatis Sr. has the distinction of being the only player in MLB history to hit two (again this number) grand slams in the same inning.
Then, on this special day, we reflected on how amazing the Tatis Jr. race has already been. Here are tremendous statistics and data from Tatis in honor of his 22nd birthday.
historical company
The injuries and pandemic of COVID-19 have limited Tatis to just 143 games in his career so far in his MLB career. However, he is in a rarefied air when it comes to offensive production before the age of 22. In the last 80 years, only two players have achieved an OPS + of 154 or more up to the age of 21 (minimum 600 appearances on the plate): Mike Trout (166) and Albert Pujols (157). Overall, there are only four: Chief Anson (162), Ted Williams (161), Jimmie Foxx (157) and Rogers Hornsby (155). They are four members of the Hall of Fame and two future members of the Hall of Fame, if you are counting.
If you extrapolate the numbers of Tatis in 143 games in a season of 162 games, you would obtain the following thing:
.301 / .374 / 582, 44 HR, 111 driven races, 31 SB
Not bad.
In terms of Baseball Reference wins over substitution, let’s take a look at all players under the age of 22 who have 7 WARs or more in a single season (Tatis has amassed 7 WARs in 143 games, so we’ll call it a season):
Mike Trout: 10.5 (2012), 8.9 (2013)
Rogers Hornsby: 9.9 (1917)
Alex Rodriguez: 9.4 (1996)
Rickey Henderson: 8.8 (1980)
Al Kaline: 8.3 (1955)
Eddie Mathews: 8.1 (1953)
César Cedeño: 8.0 (1972)
Jimmie Foxx: 7.9 (1929)
Andruw Jones: 7.4 (1998)
Mel Ott: 7.2 (1929)
Ken Griffey Jr .: 7.1 (1991)
Carlos Correa: 7.0 (2016)
It is a phenomenal company for the phenomenon.
2019 records and feats
The youngest player in the history of the Parents at the start of the Inaugural Day (March 28 against SF)
Youngest player since 1975 (Robin Yount) to have multiple hits on Opening Day (2 of 3 against SF on March 28)
First home run: April 1 against ARI, two-run shot against Merrill Kelly in the sixth inning of the Parents’ 10-3 loss
The youngest shortstop to connect four homers in the first 16 games of his team (April 13 at ARI)
Youngest player to play multiple homers at Dodger Stadium (July 7 at LAD)
The youngest player to connect opening homers in consecutive games (August 7 to SIGUI, August 8 against COL)
Most home runs in a single season in Parents history (6)
Most home runs (22!) From a shortstop before turning 21 (August 8 against COL).
14-game hit streak from July 26 to August 26. 10; to six previous players who had a hit streak of 10 games or more before turning 21: Juan Soto, Ronald Acuña Jr, Ozzie Albiès, Bryce Harper, Manny Machado, Mike Trout
He finished third in the National League Nine-Year Award voting despite playing in just 84 games due to injury.
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campaign
stellar
A great 2020.
In the 2020 season shortened by the pandemic, Tatis was in the red from the start, being named National League Player of the Month in August after beating 313/388/670 with 11 homers.
Tatis gave the first big slam of his career with a 3-0 throw from Rangers right-hander Juan Nicasio during a 14-4 victory at Globe Life Field on August 17th. Given how far San Diego was, it generated controversy.
He was one of the best defensive torpedo boats in baseball in 2020, finishing with +7 OAA.
He finished fourth in the voting for the National League MVP Award.
Beat .455 with a pair of home runs to help the Padres beat the Cardinals in the National League Wildcard Series.