Padres’ Fernando Tatis Jr. named an MLB All-Star starter
Credit: Padres
San Diego Padres star shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. will be the starter for the National League at the MLB All-Star Game, becoming the first Padres position player to receive the honor since the great Tony Gwynn.
Not that this comes as any bit of a surprise, but Fernando Tatis Jr. will start at shortstop for the National League, the first Padre voted into an All-Star Game start since Tony Gwynn in 1998.
— AJ Cassavell (@AJCassavell) July 2, 2021
This is well deserved for the young shortstop, who has taken the league by storm in just a few seasons in San Diego. In 2021, Tatis is hitting .300 with 26 home runs and 56 RBIs, both of which are more than he had in either of his first two seasons at the big-league level as the Padres make strides and are in the running for a National League West crown.
He is a menace on the basepaths and a star in the infield– despite making a high number of errors in 2021. This will be the first All-Star Game for Tatis, who declined to participate in the Home Run Derby as he nurses his shoulder that he injured at the beginning of the season.
Tatis has a batting average of .301 with 65 home runs and 154 RBIs in a total of only 206 games throughout his career. His rookie year was cut short due to injury, and the 2020 season will forever be remembered as the COVID-19 shortened campaign.
San Diego's Starting Star ⭐️ pic.twitter.com/nUYMhOwiVQ
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) July 2, 2021
This season, Tatis is in the top-20 in batting average, tied for second in home runs and fifth in RBIs while also being in the top-3 for stolen bases. He leads the league in OPS and slugging percentage, at .705/1.092, respectively.
Oh, and he is doing all this at 22 years of age while also being named as the cover athlete for MLB The Show and receiving a massive 14-year extension, essentially tying him to San Diego for his entire career.
FERNANDO TATIS JR. HAS HIT 3 HOMERUNS IN 4 INNINGS MY GOODNESS https://t.co/5vqPsqVAOz
— Barstool Gambling (@stoolgambling) June 26, 2021
His 162 game averages sit at a .301 batting average with 51 home runs and 121 RBIs. If Tatis can stay healthy for 2021, he should have no problem shattering 50 home runs as the Padres aim for a deep playoff run.
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Tatis is shattering the records in Padres franchise history and should continue to do so for the next dozen years, and a statue will be warranted outside of Petco Park at this rate.
The MLB All-Star Game is Tuesday, July 13.
Matthew Wadleigh, born in Oceanside and currently lives in Fresno. He lives with his wife and 2 dogs and is a sports enthusiast. Retired drummer and member of the Fresno State Marching Band. He has been a Padres fan since childhood and has suffered during the struggles just like everybody else.