History of Fernando Tatís Jr. in Timeline

Fernando Tatís Jr., nicknamed "El Niño" and "Bebo", is a professional baseball right fielder and second baseman for the San Diego Padres. He is the son of former MLB player Fernando Tatís Sr. Known for his exceptional talent and exciting playing style, Tatís Jr. quickly became a prominent figure in MLB. Despite facing challenges, including injuries and a suspension, he remains a key player for the Padres and a popular figure among baseball fans. His offensive prowess and defensive versatility make him a dynamic presence on the field.

Sections (2)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1997: Father's MLB Career

From 1997, Tatís's father played third base in the major leagues.

January 2, 1999: Fernando Tatís Jr. Born

On January 2, 1999, Fernando Gabriel Tatís Medina Jr., known as Fernando Tatís Jr. and nicknamed "El Niño" and "Bebo", was born. He is the son of former MLB player Fernando Tatís Sr.

Others born on this day/year

2010: Father's MLB Career

Until 2010, Tatís's father played third base in the major leagues.

2015: Signed by the White Sox

In 2015, the Chicago White Sox signed Fernando Tatís Jr. as an international free agent from the Dominican Prospect League.

June 4, 2016: Trade to the Padres

On June 4, 2016, the White Sox traded Tatís and Erik Johnson to the San Diego Padres for James Shields.

2017: Minor League Season

In 2017, Tatís played for the Fort Wayne TinCaps and the San Antonio Missions, achieving a combined .278 batting average with 22 home runs and 75 RBIs.

July 23, 2018: Season-Ending Surgery

On July 23, 2018, Tatís underwent season-ending surgery for a broken left thumb and ligament damage after a head-first slide.

March 26, 2019: Opening Day Roster

On March 26, 2019, the Padres announced that Tatís made their Opening Day roster.

April 1, 2019: First Major League Home Run

On April 1, 2019, Tatís hit his first major league home run.

2019: Error Count

In 2019, Tatís committed 18 errors, the fifth-most in MLB that season.

2019: Brother Signs with White Sox

In 2019, Tatís's younger brother, Elijah, signed with the Chicago White Sox as an infielder.

2019: Season-Ending Injury

In August 2019, Tatís injured his back, ending his season. He finished the season with a .317 batting average, 22 home runs, and came in third for the National League Rookie of the Year Award.

2020: Wild Card Series Performance

During Game 2 of the 2020 Wild Card Series against the St. Louis Cardinals, Tatís hit two home runs, helping the Padres win the series before losing to the Dodgers in the next round.

2020: Grand Slam Controversy

During the 2020 season, Tatís was involved in a controversy for swinging at a 3-0 pitch and hitting a grand slam against the Texas Rangers while the Padres were already leading by seven runs, sparking debate about unwritten rules in baseball.

2020: Most Entertaining Player

ESPN ranked Tatís as the most entertaining MLB player in 2020.

2020: Silver Slugger Award

In 2020, Fernando Tatís Jr. won the Silver Slugger Award.

2020: MVP Award Finish

In 2020, Tatís finished in fourth place for the National League MVP Award.

2020: Statistical Achievements

In 2020, Tatís led the National League in power-speed number (13.4) and had a .277/.366/.571 batting line with 17 home runs and 11 stolen bases. He also had the highest average exit velocity (95.9 MPH) among major league hitters.

2020: Improved Fielding Percentage

In the shortened 2020 season, Tatís raised his fielding percentage 40 points to .984 with only three errors.

2020: Sprint Speed Percentile in 2020

Tatís posted an average sprint speed of 29.3 feet per second through his first three seasons and placed in the 98th percentile of all MLB baserunners in 2020.

July 6, 2021: Unusual Catch

On July 6, 2021, Tatís gained media attention for making an unusually high catch, described as resembling a double jump from a video game.

December 2021: Possible Motorcycle Accident

In December 2021, Fernando Tatís Jr. may have been involved in a motorcycle accident, potentially contributing to a scaphoid bone fracture.

2021: Contract Extension

Before the 2021 season, Tatís signed a 14-year, $340 million contract extension with the Padres, which was the third-richest in MLB history at the time.

2021: Contract Extension and All-Star Selection

Before the 2021 season, Tatís signed a 14-year, $340 million contract extension. He was also named an All-Star in 2021 and won a second Silver Slugger Award.

2021: Error Count

In 2021, Tatís committed 21 errors, the third-most in the league that year.

2021: 42 Home Runs in 2021

In his 2021 season, Tatís hit 42 home runs, the most in the National League that year.

2021: Statistical Achievements and Awards

Tatís finished the 2021 season with a .282/.364/.611 slash line, leading the NL with 42 home runs. He also won his second consecutive Silver Slugger Award and placed third in NL MVP voting.