RADIO
Fernando Tatis Jr. 2023 Player Outlook: Needs To Stay On The Field Long Enough To Maximize The Talent
2 years agoFernando Tatis Jr. is set to miss the first 20 games of the 2023 season due to his ongoing suspension but the good news is, he's set to be healthy heading into Spring Training. Due to shoulder issues and the suspension for taking a banned suspension, Tatis Jr. didn't play at all for the Padres in 2022. He's undergone shoulder surgery and wrist surgery to strengthen both areas and the expectation is that Tatis Jr. will be able to play without limitations when first eligible to return. And we only have to look at his career numbers to see what we can hope for in 2023. In 2021, Tatis Jr. played 130 games but still hit .282/.364/.611 with 42 homers, 97 RBI, 99 runs and 25 stolen bases, resulting in him being a no-brainer first-round draft pick in 2021 (until the injuries happened). With an ADP of ~21, Tatis Jr. is going in the mid-late second round of drafts and if he can stay healthy and available, he should provide first-round value. But last year acted as a reminder that talent isn't of use if you're not able to play. Whether or not you draft Tatis Jr. in 2023 is down to how confident you are that he'll be able to play 120+ games.
