The Comeback Story of Fernando Tatis Jr.: A Quest for Redemption and a Monster Season
In a recent interview at the 2025-2026 Padres FanFest, San Diego's star right fielder, Fernando Tatis Jr., boldly proclaimed his intention to enter the prime of his career. With a confident smile, he asserted that when he's healthy and focused, he's the best player in baseball. But here's where it gets controversial...
During his media appearances, Tatis opened up about the mechanical struggles that plagued his 2025 season. He assured fans that these issues were behind him, attributing them to swing mechanics he couldn't discuss but promised wouldn't hinder him moving forward. In a player forum Q&A, Tatis set a lofty goal: to reward the dedicated fanbase with an MVP-caliber season. He acknowledged his responsibility to improve and deliver on the promises he's made.
Padres fans are all too familiar with the challenges Tatis has faced since his PED suspension. Accusations have swirled that his remarkable performances in 2020 and 2021 were steroid-aided, and many doubt he can replicate those feats without cheating. The issues affecting Tatis during his major league career are well-documented. From his shoulder injury in 2021, which impacted his swing until surgery in 2022, to the wrist injuries requiring two surgeries, possibly leading to his steroid use (despite his claims of ringworm treatment).
After returning from his suspension and surgeries in 2023, Tatis's bat speed and exit velocity were diminished. Only he knows if this was due to recovering from surgeries or PED-related. However, his numbers since then suggest a remarkable consistency. According to Baseball Savant, Tatis's average exit velocity in 2024 was 93.5 (97th percentile), compared to 95.9 (100th percentile) in his stellar 2020 season. His hard-hit percentage in 2024 was 99th percentile, just shy of his 2020 performance. Bat speed, not measured in 2020, was at the 86th percentile in 2024.
In 2025, Tatis's exit velocity dipped slightly to 93.3 (95th percentile), while his hard-hit percentage dropped to 93rd percentile. The most intriguing stat was his sweet spot percentage, which plummeted to 4% - the lowest of his career. This directly impacted his power and slugging percentage, which saw a 42-point decline. Throughout the season, Tatis made constant adjustments to his swing, resulting in the best K-rate and walk rate of his career, along with his lowest chase rate.
So, what does this all mean? Aside from his launch angle, which has been inconsistent, the key issue last season was Tatis's inability to consistently hit the sweet spot of the bat. All other metrics suggest he's very much the same player who burst onto the scene in 2019 and dominated in 2020.
Is this a mechanical issue that can be fixed? Tatis seems confident, stating that he's addressed these problems and expects this season to mark the most successful period of his career. The only way to silence the steroid rumors is to match or surpass his pre-suspension achievements. If he can replicate the success of his first full MLB season and maintain it while undergoing regular PED testing, he can prove the allegations wrong.
Tatis Jr. is determined to be that player. His passion and devotion to his team and the fans are admirable. He wants to deliver a performance that lives up to his immense potential. This season, the Padres and their fans eagerly await the real Tatis, free from injury and mechanical woes.
