History of Fernando Tatís Jr. in Timeline

Fernando Tatís Jr., nicknamed "El Niño" and "Bebo", is a Dominican professional baseball player renowned for his skills as a right fielder and shortstop for the San Diego Padres in MLB. The son of former MLB player Fernando Tatís Sr., he has quickly become one of the most exciting and marketable players in baseball, known for his dynamic play and offensive capabilities.

Sections (2)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1997: Father's MLB Career

From 1997, Fernando Tatís Sr., Fernando Tatís Jr.'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., also known as "El Niño" and "Bebo", was born. He is now a Dominican professional baseball right fielder and shortstop for the San Diego Padres of Major League Baseball (MLB).

Others born on this day/year

2010: Father's MLB Career

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

2015: Signed by 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: Traded to Padres

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

2017: Played in Fort Wayne and San Antonio

In 2017, Fernando Tatís Jr. 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, Fernando Tatís Jr. underwent season-ending surgery for a broken left thumb and ligament damage suffered during a head-first slide.

March 26, 2019: Made Opening Day Roster

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

April 1, 2019: First MLB Home Run

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

2019: Fifth-Most Errors in MLB

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

2019: MLB Debut

In 2019, Fernando Tatís Jr. made his Major League Baseball (MLB) debut.

2019: Brother Signed with White Sox

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

2019: Season Cut Short by Injury

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

2020: Wild Card Series Home Runs

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

2020: Grand Slam Controversy

During the 2020 season, there was a controversy involving Fernando Tatís Jr. when he swung at a 3-0 pitch in the eighth inning, hitting an opposite-field grand slam against the Texas Rangers. This action sparked debate regarding breaking an "unwritten rule of baseball."

2020: Ranked Most Entertaining MLB Player

In 2020, ESPN ranked Fernando Tatís Jr. as the most entertaining MLB player.

2020: Finished Fourth in NL MVP Award

In 2020, Fernando Tatís Jr. finished in fourth place for the National League MVP Award, behind Freddie Freeman, Mookie Betts, and Manny Machado.

2020: Led NL in Power-Speed Number

In 2020, Fernando Tatís Jr. led the National League (NL) in power-speed number (13.4) and demonstrated high performance statistics, including a .277 batting average, 17 home runs, and 11 stolen bases.

2020: Baserunning Prowess

In 2020, Fernando Tatís Jr. was in the 98th percentile of all MLB baserunners.

2020: Silver Slugger Award

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

2020: Improved Fielding Percentage

In the shortened 2020 season, Fernando Tatís Jr. committed only three errors and raised his fielding percentage to .984.

July 6, 2021: Unusual Catch

On July 6, 2021, Fernando Tatís Jr. received media attention for an unusually high catch, which appeared to resemble a double jump typically seen in video games.

December 2021: Motorcycle Accident

In December 2021, Fernando Tatís Jr. reportedly suffered a motorcycle accident in the Dominican Republic, alluded to by general manager A. J. Preller as a possible cause of his fractured scaphoid bone.

2021: Contract Extension with the Padres

Before the 2021 season, Fernando Tatís Jr. signed a 14-year, $340 million contract extension with the Padres. A portion of his earnings would go to Big League Advance.

2021: Season Achievements

Fernando Tatís Jr. finished the 2021 season with a .282 batting average, 97 RBIs, 25 stolen bases, and an NL-leading 42 home runs. He also won his second consecutive Silver Slugger Award and finished third in NL MVP voting.

2021: Third-Most Errors in League

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

2021: All-Star and Contract Extension

In 2021, Fernando Tatís Jr. was named an All-Star and signed a 14-year, $340 million contract extension.

2021: Led National League in Home Runs

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

March 16, 2022: Underwent Surgery for Fractured Scaphoid Bone

On March 16, 2022, Fernando Tatís Jr. underwent surgery due to a fractured scaphoid bone suffered during the offseason.

August 12, 2022: Suspended for Testing Positive for Steroid

On August 12, 2022, Fernando Tatís Jr. was suspended for 80 games after testing positive for Clostebol, an anabolic steroid. He claimed this was from medication for ringworm.

August 27, 2022: Adidas Dropped Tatis From Sponsorship

On August 27, 2022, Adidas announced that they would be dropping Fernando Tatís Jr. from his sponsorship with the athletic company due to his suspension.

2022: Suspension Carried Into 2023 Season

As a result of his failed drug test in 2022, Fernando Tatís Jr. missed the first 20 games of the 2023 season.

2022: Injury and Suspension

In 2022, Fernando Tatís Jr. missed the season due to injury and a suspension for using a performance-enhancing substance.

April 13, 2023: Three Home Run Game

On April 13, 2023, while playing for the Padres' Triple-A affiliate El Paso Chihuahuas, Fernando Tatís Jr. recorded a three home run, eight-RBI game.

2023: Move to Right Field

Although Fernando Tatís Jr. was described as a subpar defender at shortstop, he has been touted for his defense since he moved to right field in 2023.