Fernando Tatis Jr. is a name that has been on the lips of baseball fans and experts alike since he was signed as an international prospect by the Chicago White Sox in 2015. Born on January 2nd, 1999 in San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic, Tatis Jr. was always destined for greatness on the diamond. Standing at an impressive 6-foot-3 and weighing in at 217 pounds, he possesses a rare combination of size, speed, and raw talent that has made him one of the most exciting young players in baseball today.
Tatis Jr.’s journey to becoming a professional baseball player began when he was just a teenager. He caught the attention of scouts from several teams when he was playing in the Perfect Game showcase in Florida, and it wasn’t long before offers started rolling in. Ultimately, he chose to sign with the White Sox for a bonus of $700,000, which was the largest signing bonus gven to any international prospect that year.
Despite being undrafted by the White Sox, Tatis Jr. quickly proved himself to be a valuable asset to the team’s minor league system. He showed off his impressive skills both at the plate and in the field, and it wasn’t long before he was considered one of the top prospects in all of baseball. However, it wasn’t until he was traded to the San Diego Padres in 2016 that Tatis Jr. really began to make a name for himself.
The Padres saw something special in Tatis Jr. from the very beginning. They were impressed by his raw talent, his work ethic, and his unwavering determination to succeed. When he made the team as a 20-year-old rookie out of spring training in 2019, it was clear that he was destined for greatness.
Tatis Jr. quickly became an instant sensation in San Diego. Fans fell in love with his electrifying play on the field and his infectious personality off of it. He quickly established himself as one of the most exciting young players in baseball, earning comparisons to some of the game’s all-time greats.
Looking back on Tatis Jr.’s draft, it’s clear that the White Sox missed out on a once-in-a-generation talent. However, it’s also clear that the Padres made the right move in trading for him. Tatis Jr. has become the face of the franchise and a fan favorite in San Diego, and he shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon. As he continues to develop and refine his skills, it’s likely that we will see him establish himself as one of the best players in all of baseball for years to come.
Fernando Tatis Jr’s Draft Pick
Actually, Fernando Tatis Jr. was not drafted by any team. He was signed as an international free agent by the Chicago White Sox in July 2015, when he was just 16 years old. Tatis Jr. then spent a few years playing in the minor leagues before being traded to the San Diego Padres in 2016. Since then, he has become one of the Padres’ most important players and one of the most exciting young talents in all of Major League Baseball.
Source: milb.com
Félix Hernández Jr’s Draft Team
Fernando Tatis Jr. was not drafted by any team. He signed his first professional contract with the Chicago White Sox as an international free agent on July 2, 2015, receiving a signing bonus of $700,000.
Acquisition of Fernando Tatis Jr. by the San Diego Padres
Fernando Tatis Jr was acquired by the San Diego Padres in a trade with the Chicago White Sox in 2016. The Padres traded starting pitcher James Shields to the White Sox in exchange for Tatis and pitcher Erik Johnson. Tatis was just 17 years old at the time of the trade and was playing in the White Sox minor league system.
After joining the Padres organization, Tatis quickly rose though the ranks of the minor leagues and made his major league debut as a 20-year-old rookie in 2019. His impressive performance on the field and his charismatic personality off the field quickly made him a fan favorite in San Diego.
It’s worth noting that the veterans Manny Machado and Eric Hosmer were instrumental in bringing Tatis to the major leagues. They reportedly lobbied the Padres’ general manager, A.J. Preller, to give Tatis a shot in the big leagues, and their persuasiveness paid off. Tatis has since become one of the most exciting young players in baseball and a cornerstone of the Padres’ future.
25th Pick in the 2009 MLB Draft
The 25th pick in the 2009 MLB draft was Mike Trout. He was selected by the Los Angeles Angels, one pick after the team chose outfielder Randal Grichuk. Despite being passed on by 24 teams, Trout has since become one of the greatest players in baseball history, winning three MVP awards, seven Silver Slugger awards, and making nine All-Star appearances. His incredible talent and success have cemented him as a generational talent and one of the most exciting players to watch in the game today.
The First Pick of the 1999 MLB Draft
The first pick in the 1999 MLB draft was Josh Hamilton. Hamilton was selected by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, now known as the Tampa Bay Rays, and was chosen as an outfielder. He was drafted from Raleigh, North Carolina, either from his hometown or his college, though it is not specified which institution he attended. The 1999 MLB draft was held on June 8-9, 1999, and Hamilton was the top pick of that year’s draft class.
Source: mlbtraderumors.com
The First Pick of the 1990 MLB Draft
The first pick in the 1990 Major League Baseball (MLB) draft was Chipper Jones. He was picked by the Atlanta Braves, one of the most successful franchises in baseball history. Jones went on to have an illustrious career, playing for the Braves from 1993 to 2012. He was a seven-time All-Star, a two-time Silver Slugger Award winner, and won the National League MVP award in 1999. Jones was also a key player on the Braves’ 1995 World Series championship team. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest third basemen in MLB history and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2018.
Notable MLB Rookies of 1994
In 1994, several players made their rookie debut in Major League Baseball. One such player was Joe Ausanio, who joined the New York Yankees on July 14th of that year at the age of 28. While he only appeared in 12 games that season, he went on to have a five-year career in the MLB, playing for both the Yankees and the Montreal Expos. Other rookies who made their debut in the American League in 1994 include players such as Kevin Appier, Chipper Jones, and Alex Rodriguez, all of whom went on to have successful careers in the league.
The Reasons for Fernando’s Suspension
Fernando Tatis was suspended by Major League Baseball for 80 games after testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug earlier this month. The use of performance-enhancing drugs is prohibited under the MLB’s Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program, and Tatis violated that policy. As a consequence, he will miss the rest of this season and the postseason. Tatis apologized to Padres fans, baseball fans, and his family, acknowledging his mistake and taking responsibility for his actions.
Removal of Fernando Tatis Jr. From Game
Tatis was not removed from a game. He was suspended for 80 games by Major League Baseball for violating the league’s performance-enhancing drug policy. This means that he will not be able to play for the rest of the 2022 season, will be ineligible for the postseason, and will miss the first 32 games of the 2023 season. The specific details of his violation have not been made public.
Can the Padres Terminate the Tatis Contract?
The Padres cannot get out of the Tatis contract. Fernando Tatis Jr. signed a 14-year, $340 million contract extension with the Padres in February 2021, whch runs through the 2034 season. While there are provisions in the contract that allow for the team to protect itself in the event of a significant injury, the team has no interest in voiding the contract or trying to get out of it in any way. Tatis is a franchise player and a cornerstone of their future, and the team understands the value he brings to the organization both on and off the field. Therefore, it is highly unlikely that the Padres would attempt to void the contract or try to get out of it in any way, especially not over a minor issue like his recent on-field behavior.
Conclusion
Fernando Tatis Jr.’s draft story is a testament to his exceptional talent and promise as a baseball player. Despite gong undrafted in 2015, Tatis quickly proved himself as a top prospect and was signed by the Chicago White Sox for a significant bonus. Since then, he has become an instant sensation with the San Diego Padres, impressing fans and veterans alike with his skill and poise on the field. Tatis Jr.’s draft journey serves as a reminder that sometimes, the most promising players can come from unexpected places, and that true talent will always find its way to the top. As he continues to shine in the MLB, it is clear that Fernando Tatis Jr. is a player to watch for years to come.
