Fernando Tatis Jr. continues to make his case as baseball’s best defensive right fielder, and Wednesday’s robbery against the Giants only strengthened that argument.
The San Diego Padres star snatched what looked like a sure home run away from Rafael Devers, marking his third home run robbery this season. That leads all of MLB.
It’s another highlight in what’s been a standout defensive season for Tatis. Bleacher Report’s Joel Reuter recently ranked him as the game’s top defensive right fielder.
“Tatis has been an elite defensive right fielder from the moment he moved off shortstop, winning Gold Glove and Platinum Glove in 2023. Injuries slowed him down in more ways than one a year ago, but he is back to full health and likely on his way to another Gold Glove.”
What makes Tatis’s defensive excellence even more impressive? Right field wasn’t his primary position coming into the league. The three-time All-Star has developed an almost supernatural feel for the outfield wall that few players possess.
His defensive prowess is just one piece of San Diego’s strong season. While the Los Angeles Dodgers grab most of the headlines, the Padres have stayed within striking distance in what’s shaping up to be a compelling divisional race.
Tatis and Manny Machado have anchored the offense, combining for 38 home runs and 130 RBIs. But it’s the pitching staff that’s really stood out, posting a 3.52 team ERA that ranks second across Major League Baseball.
The defense has been stellar across the board. Jackson Merrill, Xander Bogaerts, and Luis Arraez have all contributed to what’s become a well-rounded unit.
But Tatis continues to be the defensive centerpiece. His latest robbery against San Francisco is just the kind of game-changing play that separates good teams from great ones. With his health fully restored and his defensive instincts as sharp as ever, another Gold Glove seems well within reach.
