Quote from Jeremy Hill on July 2, 2022, 10:04 am

Tatis asked about playing the OF from Rosenthal's latest on The Athletic.

Initially, when I asked Fernando Tatis Jr. whether he might move off shortstop once he returns from a broken left wrist, he reacted coyly.

“The plan so far is shortstop,” he said.

Could he play other positions?

Tatis laughed.

“Yeah, I could,” he said.

I then laid out why I was asking. Center field for the Padres hasn’t been great offensively. Ha-Seong Kim has excelled at shortstop defensively. Tatis could play center …

He laughed again.

“I like winning ballgames,” Tatis said. “If it means we’re going to win more ballgames like that, I’ll do it that way.”

Are you taking balls out there?

“I’ve been shagging, yeah.”

Do you like it out there?

“Yeah, it’s fun.”

So, it’s not out of the question.

“It’s not out of the question.”

Quote from fenn68 on July 2, 2022, 10:33 am

Tatis to CF … replacing the struggling Grisham and allowing Kim/Abrams to play SS … may sound good to some … but not me in a playoff race in the last two months of the season.

Frist, if you saw Tatis in the OF last season … he was not good defensively (actually bad routes and just not on top for hitting cut-offs). Could he become a top defensive OF … probably given his athletic skills but that will have a learning curve … a learning that I don’t want in critical games in 2022.

Second, hopefully he can come back offensively at least near his 2021 production … but not guaranteed to reach that initially and putting him in a new position may take away from this work to get his offense back.

Third, is playing Kim/Abrams really all that much better than Grisham to offset the defensive issues with Tatis?

I guess a good on-going speculation point for the media. We can keep it going into ST 2023.

Quote from Henry Silvestre on July 2, 2022, 10:36 am

Quote from Jeremy Hill on July 2, 2022, 10:04 am

Tatis asked about playing the OF from Rosenthal's latest on The Athletic.

Initially, when I asked Fernando Tatis Jr. whether he might move off shortstop once he returns from a broken left wrist, he reacted coyly.

“The plan so far is shortstop,” he said.

Could he play other positions?

Tatis laughed.

“Yeah, I could,” he said.

I then laid out why I was asking. Center field for the Padres hasn’t been great offensively. Ha-Seong Kim has excelled at shortstop defensively. Tatis could play center …

He laughed again.

“I like winning ballgames,” Tatis said. “If it means we’re going to win more ballgames like that, I’ll do it that way.”

Are you taking balls out there?

“I’ve been shagging, yeah.”

Do you like it out there?

“Yeah, it’s fun.”

So, it’s not out of the question.

“It’s not out of the question.”

Oh that takes us to a whole different level of options ...and keeps Tatis healthier.. CF/RF a little SS.. Kim SS/3B ..Manny 3B/DH...BoMel can play the hot bat between Kim/Grish...so many more options

Quote from fenn68 on July 2, 2022, 11:27 am

Knee inflammation is not a good thing for a catcher … and that is what Alfaro has. Melvin will keep him out (from catching) for at least a few games but no idea how severe  the injury and really how long will it keep him from catching. Also, a good chance a gimpy knee will alter his hitting … and that is not good.

Could the Padres be in a position to call up Campusano for the back up role? Probably would mean Azocar sent down (Abrams becomes the back up OF). Would not rule out Alfaro to the IL (10 day). There may be an interrelation with Machado injury here. If Machado will be limited in his field play as he fully recovers can the Padres afford Alfaro on the 26 man and not playing the field?

 

Quote from Henry Silvestre on July 2, 2022, 11:36 am

Quote from fenn68 on July 2, 2022, 11:27 am

Knee inflammation is not a good thing for a catcher … and that is what Alfaro has. Melvin will keep him out (from catching) for at least a few games but no idea how severe  the injury and really how long will it keep him from catching. Also, a good chance a gimpy knee will alter his hitting … and that is not good.

Could the Padres be in a position to call up Campusano for the back up role? Probably would mean Azocar sent down (Abrams becomes the back up OF). Would not rule out Alfaro to the IL (10 day). There may be an interrelation with Machado injury here. If Machado will be limited in his field play as he fully recovers can the Padres afford Alfaro on the 26 man and not playing the field?

 

Campusano has been in LA since Friday..(Taxi Squad) so I could see a stint for Alfaro to the IL...

Quote from JasonE135 on July 2, 2022, 11:54 am

Quote from fenn68 on July 2, 2022, 10:33 am

Tatis to CF … replacing the struggling Grisham and allowing Kim/Abrams to play SS … may sound good to some … but not me in a playoff race in the last two months of the season.

Frist, if you saw Tatis in the OF last season … he was not good defensively (actually bad routes and just not on top for hitting cut-offs). Could he become a top defensive OF … probably given his athletic skills but that will have a learning curve … a learning that I don’t want in critical games in 2022.

Second, hopefully he can come back offensively at least near his 2021 production … but not guaranteed to reach that initially and putting him in a new position may take away from this work to get his offense back.

Third, is playing Kim/Abrams really all that much better than Grisham to offset the defensive issues with Tatis?

I guess a good on-going speculation point for the media. We can keep it going into ST 2023.

Tatis is currently an empty space anywhere he plays. He has tremendous range but he injures himself every time he dives. That doesn't work at SS. He has the strongest IF arm in baseball but he has more bad, off target IF throws than anyone. He could take an extra few milliseconds to actually aim but he seems more content to just show off his arm strength. Put him in CF and make him earn his way back onto the IF. He makes bad throws from the OF? He also makes bad throws from the IF a lot more often and they are far more damaging. Tatis has all of the physical ability in the world but is currently as good on the dirt as your average DH.

The Padres need to stop letting Nando act like a spoiled child. Put him in the OF and tell him he doesn't get back to SS unless he hits every cutoff man and makes every throw accurately. He also has to prove that he can actually play the field without getting injured. If he proves himself in 2022 he can have a CHANCE to play SS...in 2023.

Quote from MrPadre19 on July 2, 2022, 12:28 pm

I’m of the opinion Tatis had a case of the yips the first two months of 21’….he corrected that in the 2nd half.

How he performs this year after so much time off remains to be seen.

I don’t like the idea of replacing a GG centerfielder,even if currently struggling,with a Shortstop coming off wrist surgery and having a bad shoulder who’s never played the position.

Doesn't matter how athletic he is.

Let’s just put Manny and Alfaro on il,bring up Campy and Ruiz,and let our Starters continue to carry us until all three,Manny,Nando,and Alfaro are all 100% and won’t miss another game till the World Series.

I don’t want Manny reinjuring  just to get back 10 days earlier.

 

Quote from fenn68 on July 2, 2022, 1:44 pm

I guess I am hung up on what I saw of Tatis in the OF ... he was bad on routes and jumps not just throws. CF would be a disaster for him and the Padres no matter how athletic he is. IF (and that is a big IF) they want him in the OF ... RF where he should do less damage and his arm would play.

One comment suggested the OF may be a better health option for his shoulder given fewer all out throws vs. SS. Let us not forget he did not have the shoulder surgery ... so that may still be a concern beyond the wrist.

If the Padres see Tatis' future in the OF ... probably should sit him in one spot (RF) in ST and let him develop his defense there full time. Clearly the Padres will need OF in 2023 and have Kim / Abrams to cover SS.

2023: Profar (re-signed); Grisham (L)/Ruiz; Tatis COULD be a decent OF rotation. INF of Machado; Kim/Abrams; Cronenworth COULD be a decent INF rotation. 1B/DH TBD.

Quote from JasonE135 on July 2, 2022, 2:12 pm

Quote from fenn68 on July 2, 2022, 1:44 pm

I guess I am hung up on what I saw of Tatis in the OF ... he was bad on routes and jumps not just throws. CF would be a disaster for him and the Padres no matter how athletic he is. IF (and that is a big IF) they want him in the OF ... RF where he should do less damage and his arm would play.

One comment suggested the OF may be a better health option for his shoulder given fewer all out throws vs. SS. Let us not forget he did not have the shoulder surgery ... so that may still be a concern beyond the wrist.

If the Padres see Tatis' future in the OF ... probably should sit him in one spot (RF) in ST and let him develop his defense there full time. Clearly the Padres will need OF in 2023 and have Kim / Abrams to cover SS.

2023: Profar (re-signed); Grisham (L)/Ruiz; Tatis COULD be a decent OF rotation. INF of Machado; Kim/Abrams; Cronenworth COULD be a decent INF rotation. 1B/DH TBD.

Tatis tore his left shoulder and he is right-handed. Throwing will not strain his left shoulder.

I agree that Tatis's ultimate position should be RF. His cannon will work very nicely there. It will also help mask any defensive shortcomings until he gets up to speed in the OF. He is too big to be a CF to me.