Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado are heading to Atlanta for the 2025 All-Star Game, giving the Padres two representatives on the midsummer classic roster.
For Tatis, the selection caught him completely off guard. He’d already made other plans for the break.
“I’m not going to lie,” Tatis told Dennis Lin of The Athletic. “I already had a hotel booked somewhere where I can relax and chill (during the All-Star break). But, you know, I’m definitely happy. I already canceled my stay at the hotel, and we’re going to be out there in Atlanta.”
That’s pretty telling. Most players who expect All-Star consideration don’t book vacation hotels during All-Star week.
Tatis is hitting .269 this season with 15 home runs, 40 RBIs, and 19 stolen bases through 87 hits. His .796 OPS comes from a .356 on-base percentage and .440 slugging mark. He’s also scored 63 runs with 47 walks against 68 strikeouts.
Those numbers might not jump off the page, but here’s where it get interesting. The advanced metrics tell a different story entirely.
According to Baseball Savant, Tatis ranks in the 91st percentile for Batting Run Value, 90th percentile for Baserunning Run Value, and an elite 97th percentile for Fielding Run Value. That’s a player who’s contributing at an elite level across all three phases of the game.
What makes this different is that Tatis has become one of baseball’s better outfielders since making the transition from shortstop. His defensive metrics show he’s not just adequate out there – he’s legitimately good.
The way I see it, this selection shows how All-Star voting has evolved. It’s not just about the flashy counting stats anymore. Voters are recognizing players who impact winning in multiple ways, even if the traditional numbers don’t tell the whole story.
This marks Tatis’s third All-Star selection and first time making back-to-back rosters. He won’t participate in the Home Run Derby, but he’ll suit up for the game itself.
All things considered, it’s a good reminder that perception and reality don’t always match up. Tatis thought he was booking a vacation. Instead, he’s packing for Atlanta.
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