Stud, incoming.
78. Fernando Tatis, Jr., 3B, San Diego Padres Video
Signed: July 2nd Period, 2015 from Dominican Republic
Age 18 Height 6’3 Weight 185 Bat/Throw R/R
Tool Grades (Present/Future)
Hit Raw Power Game Power Run Fielding Throw
30/50 50/60 30/50 45/40 45/60 60/70
Scouting Summary
Tatis looked good during extended spring training (before he was traded) and then continued to improve throughout the summer, showing impressive infield actions, arm strength and burgeoning raw power. He’s likely to move off of short and over to third, but he could be a black hole there while hitting a bunch of homers.
Relevant/Interesting Metrics
Had .182 ISO and 26.5% strikeout in 50-PA taste of Northwest League at age 17.
Scouting Report
The primary return from Chicago in exchange for James Shields early this season, Tatis was already an intriguing prospect late in the spring but continued to improve as the summer went on and now looks like a potential star. He has shortstop actions and a future 70 arm, but he’ll almost certainly need to move to third base eventually as his large frame fills in and he slows down. The combination of the arm, athleticism, hands and actions could lead to plus-plus defense at third base, though, and with more mass will come more power. Tatis has good bat speed and some natural leverage in his swing and could have plus raw power at maturity. He may never tap into it, though. The swing is noisy, with lots of independently moving parts and Tatis’ contact issues are exacerbated by the length of his limbs and his propensity to be way out in front of offspeed stuff. I have a future 50 on the bat, which is pretty aggressive considering where Tatis is at right now, but he’s still just 17 and has done nothing but exceed the expectations placed upon him as an amateur since arriving. If all the tools actualize, he’s a star. Of course, at just 17 and with hefty swing-and-miss issues, he’s also quite a risk.