Fernando Tatis Jr, renowned player for the Majors, rewrote history when he led the league with an amazing 29 defensive runs, enabling him secure the highly coveted Platinum Glove Award.
Preller gave Tatis a challenge, and he went above and beyond pic.twitter.com/Z90Cxxqirn
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) February 15, 2024
This prestigious accolade, granted to the best defender in the National Leaguer, was a result of a challenge handed down to him by AJ Preller.
"[General manager] A.J. [Preller] gave me that challenge — if I could win [the] Gold [Glove]," Tatis said. "I brought platinum to the table."
Not many players can boast about bringing platinum to the table, especially when expected to win gold! Tatis has managed to exceed this demand, answering Preller"s challenge with confidence.
His recent revelation throws light on the conversation in which Shildt and Preller gave him the option of switching to center field from right field.
Despite the trade of Trent Grisham to the Yankees, which opened up a slot in center field, Tatis has remained content in right field.
"I feel like right field in Petco Park is more important than center field," Tatis said, alluding to the spacious dimensions of his home ballpark. "I feel like I can do a way better job in our right field in Petco than me playing center field. I feel like right field is the spot for me right now."
Tatis"s consistently commendable performances often draw comparisons with Atlanta"s Ronald Acuña Jr.
Similar to Acuña"s well-documented career evolution, Tatis"s road map also involves overcoming an injury ordeal in 2021 and reestablishing himself stronger in the subsequent year.
With Acuña bagging the MVP in 2023 post-injury season, Tatis has his eyes set on following that path.
And while there"s skepticism if Tatis could reach such a height again, he has previously proven his outstanding ability to rebound from adversity.
"I really had a really good offseason," Tatis said. "My confidence is through the roof. I just want them to sit down and see what I"m going to do this year."
