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Fernando Tatis Jr. is coming off an incredible rookie season and hopes to replicate it when the league returns. Here’s why one day he will be an MVP.

Minor League Superstar

At just age 17, Dominican born Tatis Jr. was traded to the San Diego Padres in a blockbuster deal. Coming from the Chicago White Sox, fans in San Diego had high hopes for the young prospect.

Starting off with the Arizona League Padres, he was quickly promoted to the Low-A Tri-City Dust Devils. Eventually making his way to San Antonio to play in the Texas League, he made a name for himself with his electric playing style, even being named MLB.com’s #2 prospect in 2018.

In total, Tatis Jr. accumulated a staggering 296 total hits in the minor leagues (not including his two hits in rehab appearances).

Finally in the spring of 2019, the Padres announced he would make his debut in the majors on Opening Day.

Human Highlight Reel

Joining the NL West can’t be easy for anyone, as it’s one of the best divisions in baseball. This didn’t seem to bother the young star though.

In just 84 games he hit over .300, enjoyed 22 home runs, and stole 16 bases. What El Niño is most known for however is his one-of-a-kind playing style. His remarkable ability to make impossible plays seem routine took the league by storm. No play seemed too difficult for the young Padre.

His incredible plays and awesome hitting performance earned him 3rd place in NL Rookie of the Year voting, even though he suffered a season ending injury in August.

MVP in His Future?

Tatis Jr. is undoubtedly one of the most fun players to watch in the MLB. With a successful season under his belt, he is sure to come back hungrier for one even better.

With a team stacked with players like Manny Machado, Eric Hosmer, Chris Paddack and Kirby Yates, the Padres could sneak into a wild card spot, assuming they won’t outplay the Dodgers. This can only happen if Tatis performs though. If he is able to help carry his team to the postseason, he solidifies himself as an elite player.

With superstar status, Tatis could gain popularity among fans as one of the best players in the league and back it up with his play. As a top player, his electric playing style and impressive hitting could very well earn him the title of MVP within the next decade.

Photo credit: The Athletic