Fernando Tatís Jr., nicknamed "El Niño," is a Dominican professional baseball player for the San Diego Padres. Primarily playing right field and shortstop, he's the son of former MLB player Fernando Tatís Sr. Known for his exciting and dynamic style of play, Tatís Jr. quickly became one of baseball's brightest young stars, demonstrating exceptional hitting ability and defensive skills. He has garnered significant attention for his performance and potential, establishing himself as a key player for the Padres.
January 2, 1999: Fernando Tatís Jr. Born
On January 2, 1999, Fernando Gabriel Tatís Medina Jr., later nicknamed "El Niño" and "Bebo", was born. He is the son of former MLB player Fernando Tatís Sr.
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2015: Signed by the Chicago White Sox
In 2015, Fernando Tatís Jr. was signed by the Chicago White Sox as an international free agent from the Dominican Prospect League, starting his professional baseball journey.
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June 4, 2016: Traded to the San Diego Padres
On June 4, 2016, the Chicago White Sox traded Fernando Tatís Jr., along with Erik Johnson, to the San Diego Padres in exchange for James Shields.
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2017: Played for Fort Wayne TinCaps and San Antonio Missions
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.
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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, impacting his minor league season.
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March 26, 2019: Made Opening Day Roster
On March 26, 2019, the Padres announced that Fernando Tatís Jr. made their Opening Day roster, marking a significant milestone in his career.
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April 1, 2019: First Major League Home Run
On April 1, 2019, Fernando Tatís Jr. hit his first major league home run, a memorable moment in his debut season.
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2019: MLB Debut
In 2019, Fernando Tatís Jr. made his Major League Baseball debut, marking the beginning of his professional career.
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2019: Injured Back Ends Season
In 2019, Fernando Tatís Jr.'s season ended prematurely due to a back injury, though he still finished with impressive statistics. He also came in third place in balloting for the National League Rookie of the Year Award.
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2019: Brother Signed by White Sox
In 2019, Fernando Tatís Jr.'s younger brother, Elijah, an infielder, signed with the Chicago White Sox organization.
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2020: Wild Card Series Performance
During the 2020 Wild Card Series, Fernando Tatís Jr. hit two home runs in Game 2 against the St. Louis Cardinals, contributing to the Padres' series victory. However, they lost in the next round against the Dodgers.
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2020: Grand Slam Controversy
During the 2020 season, Fernando Tatís Jr. was involved in a controversy for hitting a grand slam on a 3-0 count while the Padres were already leading by a significant margin, sparking debate about baseball's unwritten rules.
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2020: Finished Fourth in NL MVP Voting
In 2020, Fernando Tatís Jr. finished in fourth place for the National League MVP Award, highlighting his impactful performance during the season.
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2020: Statistical Achievements
In 2020, Fernando Tatís Jr. led the NL in power-speed number and achieved high rankings in several offensive categories, showcasing his exceptional hitting abilities.
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2020: Silver Slugger Award
In 2020, Fernando Tatís Jr. was awarded the Silver Slugger Award, recognizing his offensive performance.
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July 6, 2021: Unusual High Catch
On July 6, 2021, Fernando Tatís Jr. received media attention for an unusually high catch in a game, which appeared to resemble a double jump typically seen in video games.
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December 2021: Motorcycle Accident Speculation
In December 2021, A. J. Preller alluded to a motorcycle accident that Fernando Tatís Jr. suffered in the Dominican Republic, contributing to speculation about the cause of his fractured scaphoid bone.
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2021: Signed Contract Extension
Before the 2021 season, Fernando Tatís Jr. signed a 14-year, $340 million contract extension with the San Diego Padres, marking one of the richest deals in MLB history at the time.
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2021: Successful Season and MVP Vote
Fernando Tatís Jr. concluded the 2021 season with a .282 batting average, leading the NL with 42 home runs, winning his second consecutive Silver Slugger Award, and finishing third in NL MVP voting.
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2021: All-Star and Contract Extension
In 2021, Fernando Tatís Jr. was named an All-Star and secured a 14-year, $340 million contract extension with the Padres.
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March 16, 2022: Underwent Surgery for Fractured Scaphoid
On March 16, 2022, Fernando Tatís Jr. underwent surgery due to a fractured scaphoid bone suffered during the offseason, with speculation linking the injury to a motorcycle accident.
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August 12, 2022: Suspended for PED Use
On August 12, 2022, Fernando Tatís Jr. was suspended for 80 games after testing positive for Clostebol, an anabolic steroid, leading to significant controversy.
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August 27, 2022: Adidas Drops Sponsorship
On August 27, 2022, Adidas announced that they would be dropping Fernando Tatís Jr. from his sponsorship with the athletic company, citing their clear policy on doping.
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2022: Season Missed Due to Injury and Suspension
Fernando Tatís Jr. missed the 2022 season due to an injury and a suspension for using a performance-enhancing substance.
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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, showcasing his offensive power.
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2023: Missed First 20 Games of Season
As a result of his failed drug test in 2022, Fernando Tatís Jr. missed the first 20 games of the 2023 season.
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2023: Moved to Right Field
In 2023, Fernando Tatís Jr. moved to right field and improved his defense
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2023: Gold Glove Award
In 2023, Fernando Tatís Jr. won a Gold Glove Award, recognizing his defensive skills.
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June 24, 2024: Placed on Injured List
On June 24, 2024, Fernando Tatis was placed on the injured list with a femoral stress reaction in his right quadricep.
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