Fernando Tatis Jr.

Position: SS
Level: Double-A
Affiliate: San Antonio Missions
League: Texas League
Born: 01/02/1999 (Age: 25)
Height: 6'3''
Weight: 185
B/T: Right / Right
Acquired: Signed as international free agent, 7/2/2015 (CWS; Traded to Padres 6/4/2016 for James Shields

Prospect Spotlight

In a move that could haunt the White Sox organization for years to come, Tatis was traded alongside another prospect for James Shields in 2016. In Chicago’s defense, Tatis had just signed the summer prior as a 16-year-old and had yet to play in a professional game at the time of the deal. In the time since Tatis joined the Padres organization, he has gone on to become a star and one of baseball’s top overall prospects.

A classic five-tool shortstop, the 6-foot-3 and 185-pound Tatis elicits Manny Machado and Carlos Correa comps for his size, offensive upside, and ability to remain at a center-diamond position. Tatis has excellent batspeed with unique ability to produce in-game power for a teenager, all without sacrificing contact or posting high strikeout rates. He handled an assignment to Double-A with aplomb, putting himself in historic company last year with a .286/.355/.507 line in the upper-minors at age-19. Despite a larger frame for a middle infielder, Tatis moves well for his size and has a good chance to remain at shortstop. His plus arm shoots lasers across the infield and will easily be enough for 3B if he does outgrow the position. This is what superstars look like as prospects, and we expect Tatis to be the anchor of San Diego’s future core.