With Soto locked in at LF, where will Tatis play?
PEORIA, Ariz. — The Padres’ positional dominos are falling into place.
Manager Bob Melvin confirmed Tuesday that star outfielder Juan Soto will make the transition again to left discipline, the place he started his profession. That would seemingly arrange Fernando Tatis Jr. to slip into the right-field emptiness, although the Padres have but to commit firmly to that plan.
Soto spent the previous three years taking part in proper discipline completely, although he performed his first two seasons in Washington as a left fielder. He mentioned lately that he’d be open to a change however would like to be locked in at a type of two spots, moderately than shuffling between the 2.
When Soto arrived at camp, he and Melvin lastly had that long-awaited dialogue.
“Left is what we’re going to work on with him, and we’re going to try to keep him in that one spot,” Melvin mentioned.
Soto was a finalist for the Gold Glove Award in proper discipline final season, although he’s typically considered, at greatest, a median defensive outfielder. His vary is proscribed — a minimum of as compared with a number of the Padres’ different outfield choices.
If, certainly, the Padres plan to maneuver Tatis to the outfield, proper discipline at all times appeared like a wise touchdown spot. He performed there a bit in 2021, and Petco Park’s spacious right-center-field hole might swimsuit Tatis’ elite athleticism and rocket arm.
Barring harm, it’s a formality at this level that Tatis will make his return as an outfielder. Xander Bogaerts is slated to begin at shortstop, and the remainder of the Padres infield is ready — with Ha-Seong Kim shifting to second, whereas serving as Bogaerts’ backup at brief.
Still, the Padres have not dedicated to a set place for Tatis, who will not return to sport motion till April 20 on the earliest, as soon as he finishes serving his PED suspension.
“We still have to get through spring, and then there’s 20 games before [he returns],” Melvin mentioned. “Yeah, he’s open to anything.”
Unlike with Soto, the Padres don’t seem prone to lock Tatis right into a singular outfield spot. He spent the offseason working at various completely different positions, and it is nonetheless potential Tatis is perhaps utilized in heart for a number of video games. (If, say, Trent Grisham had been to sit down towards a troublesome left-hander.)
“From where he’s come from, he just wants to play and contribute and get out in the field,” Melvin mentioned of Tatis.
Realistically, after all, the Padres are merely wanting ahead to drawing up a lineup that options each Soto and Tatis — wherever they find yourself taking part in.
