Padres’ Fernando Tatis Jr. Relied on Familiar Mentor To Get His Groove Back
The San Diego Padres were eager to move on from their 2023 collapse going into the 2024 campaign. They assembled a well-rounded group and were counting on returning players from the starting lineup.
The player the team was most optimistic about was outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr., who has long been considered the franchise’s face. In 2023, Tatis Jr. had a below-average year by his standards, following a drug ban and wrist surgery. He spent the whole off-season making sure that another performance was not necessary.
After starting the 2024 season on a high note, Tatis Jr. soon fell into a slight slump. He managed to remain composed and survived by relying on the things closest to him.
When Tatis Jr. needed direction and encouragement the most, he turned to Fernando Tatis Sr. In an interview with the San Diego Union-Tribune, Tatis Jr. discussed how his father supported him during the highs and lows of a demanding season.
With 13 home runs and 35 runs batted in so far this season, Tatis Jr. is hitting.280. He has been a centerpiece for what the Padres have wanted to do this season and is a big reason why they currently sit above a .500 record.
San Diego currently holds the second-place ranking in the National League West division with a 37-35 record. Tatis Jr. needs to continue having a great comeback season if he wants to have an impact in the last stretch. Furthermore, as long as he has access to his resources, Tatis Jr. has every reason to think that he can continue.
