MLB Makes Fernando Tatis Jr. Announcement Before Padres Season

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Hugh Green | Last updated Feb 4, 2026 7:30 AM ET

San Diego Padres right fielder Fernando Tatis Jr. has been incredible throughout his Major League Baseball career. In six seasons, not including 2022, when he missed the year due to injury and a PED suspension, Tatis has hit .277 with an OPS of .868, totaling 152 home runs and 393 RBIs.

He has been selected to the All-Star Game three times, won two Silver Slugger Awards, two Gold Glove Awards and a pair of Platinum Glove Awards, which is given to the best defender in each league every year.

The 27-year-old is coming off a phenomenal 2025 season, as he batted .268 with an .814 OPS to go along with 25 homers, 71 RBIs and 32 stolen bases in 155 games.

San Diego Padres right fielder Fernando Tatis Jr. (23) David Frerker-Imagn Images

Tatis has spent the entirety of his major league career with the Padres, but he was originally signed by the Chicago White Sox as an international free agent in 2015. In 2016, Chicago traded Tatis, along with another minor league player at the time, to San Diego in exchange for right-handed pitcher James Shields.

Since Tatis made his debut in the majors in 2019, he has been a success, finishing third in National League Rookie of the Year voting that season.

On Wednesday, before Tatis begins his seventh season in the big leagues with the Padres, MLB announced the top 10 right fielders in baseball heading into 2026, according to votes from fans. Tatis was honored as the No. 3 player on this list.

"The fans have made their voices heard! The top 10 right fielders for the 2026 season ," MLB's caption read.

The fans have made their voices heard!

The top 10 right fielders for the 2026 season https://t.co/MKQg4VSE5J pic.twitter.com/PjSMXwO8RA
— MLB (@MLB) February 4, 2026

Tatis came in behind only New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge and Atlanta Braves star right fielder Ronald Acuna Jr. among the league's best at the position. Tatis placed sixth in MLB Network's rankings of the top right fielders for the 2026 season, based on The Shredder, a ranking system used by the network.

He will be entering the sixth season of a massive 14-year, $340 million contract extension with the Padres in 2026. San Diego will begin its spring training against the Seattle Mariners on Feb. 20 in the Cactus League.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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