The 2022 season was literally the worst for the San Diego Padres ‘Superstar’ Fernando Tatis Jr. After injuring his wrist in an off-season motorcycle accident, he was charged with preparing for the season, and then he was punished for taking a 스포츠토토 banned substance and blew away an entire year.
Tatis Jr. debuted in San Diego in 2019 and played in 84 games, with 106 hits, 22 homers, 16 steals, a batting average of 0.317 OPS of 0.969, and appeared like a comet. And even in the 2020 season, when the shortened season was held, he flew with a batting average of 0.277 OPS 0.937 with 11 home runs and 11 steals in 59 games.
San Diego showed expectations by signing a super-large contract with Tatis Jr. for up to 340 million dollars (about 418.2 billion won) in 14 years before the start of the 2021 season, and Tatis Jr. recorded 135 hits, 42 homers, 97 RBIs, 99 points and 25 steals in 130 games that year. He swung a fire bat with a batting average of 0.282 and an OPS of 0.975.
Although he was unable to play full-time due to a dislocated shoulder, Tatis won the National League home run title, was selected as an All-Star for the first time in his career, and won the Silver Slugger for the second year in a row. In addition, Tatis Jr., who ranked 4th in the 2020 season MVP voting, was also selected 3rd in the MVP voting in the 2021 season.
But last year, Tatis Jr. was a disappointment. Tatis Jr. has undergone wrist surgery following an offseason motorcycle accident. Of course, he had to face setbacks in preparing for the season. In addition, last summer, he was suspended for 80 games by the Major League Baseball office for taking a banned substance.
Tatis Jr., who received a lot of criticism and criticism for not taking care of his body due to his immature behavior even after signing a large contract, was completely branded as a ‘problem child’ when he was revealed to be taking banned substances. He is Tatis Jr., who has been through a lot of heartache, although it is a mistake he has committed.
According to the ‘San Diego Union Tribune’, Tatis Jr. said on the 30th (Korean time), “This is the first time I have been away from the team. It really hurts my heart. I have been successful so far, but I suffered a big failure last year. Through this, so many I felt it,” he said, expressing his mixed feelings.
Tatis Jr. is well aware that he has no choice but to take matters into his own hands. “I know what people are talking about out there and how they will take it, but it depends on how I approach it,” he said.
Tatis Jr. also lost his spot at shortstop due to his injuries and drug use. San Diego, which signed an 11-year, $280 million contract with Xander Bogaerts this winter, plans to appoint Bogaerts as a shortstop. Therefore, it is highly likely that Kim Ha-seong will switch positions to second baseman and Tatis Jr. to the outfield.
Tatis Jr. is determined to show a different side of himself this season as he has had a difficult time. “This is going to be a season with a lot of emotions,” he added.