Major League Baseball seemingly finds a new star each year. You never know who will break out and make a run at league MVP or establish themselves as one of the best players in the game.
We all know Shohei Ohtani, Aaron Judge, and Juan Soto, but who will be the next player to enter that tier? Soto was asked who he thought was the best player in baseball, and his answer may surprise you.
Juan Soto Votes Fernando Tatis Jr as Best MLB Player
One player who has flown under the radar the past few seasons is San Diego Padres outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr. He has struggled to stay healthy the last few seasons, which has undoubtedly hurt his resume. But the raw talent is undeniable.
According to Hector Gomez, Soto said, “Fernando Tatis Jr is the best player in the game for me; he can do it all in the field. You can see players that do everything at least average or better, but he does everything elite.
“He has won the platinum glove, can hit 40 home runs in San Diego, hits .300, runs, knows how to play the game and how to move on both sides of the ball, and has a cannon of an arm.”
Last season, Tatis Jr. only played 102 games and batted .276 with 21 home runs and 49 RBIs. Entering his age-26 season, Tatis Jr. has the potential to be a National League MVP.
We saw flashes of brilliance from him during his 2021 season (42 home runs, 25 stolen bases), and hopefully, he will be able to recapture that.
Tatis Jr. Needs a Bounce-Back Season
MLB and the Padres need a massive season from Tatis Jr. He is one of the most exciting players in the game, and when he is off the field, the sport suffers.
The Padres have one of the most talented rosters in baseball, but that is with Tatis Jr. in the lineup. The National League West looks like one of the toughest divisions in baseball, at least at the top.
The Dodgers look like a powerhouse, and the Diamondbacks are improved. Not to mention, the rest of the National League has playoff contenders.
It may take 90 wins this year to reach the postseason. The Padres have the potential to be one of the most exciting teams in baseball, but that will require Tatis Jr. to remain on the field.