What should we expect from Fernando Tatis Jr. in his return to MLB? | The Bandwagon
Yahoo Sports MLB writers Hannah Keyser and Zach Crizer hop on The Bandwagon to discuss San Diego Padres star Fernando Tatis Jr. as he plans to return to the majors after a long suspension for Performance Enhancing Substances, and debate what fans should expect from him when he returns to a big league field.
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Video Transcript
[MUSIC PLAYING]
HANNAH KEYSER: Right now we're going to talk about the fact that Fernando Tatis Jr. is debuting later this week and I'm going to wager a bet that next week we talk about the fact that Fernando Tatis Jr. has rejoined the Padres. But first, we're going to go with the fact that he's going to rejoin the Padres. He's been just raking in the minors. We'll stop there for a question. Does that give you confidence? Are you confident that he's going to carry that over?
ZACH CRIZER: Here's my question. Percentage wise, what chance do you think it is right now at this point with him in the minors doing a rehab assignment or "rehab assignment" as he prepares to come back from suspension, what percentage chance do you think it is that he actually shows up, puts on a Major League uniform, and plays in a Major League game before the next time we record a podcast?
HANNAH KEYSER: Why? Wait. Do you think something else is going to go wrong?
[INTERPOSING VOICES]
What do you know?
ZACH CRIZER: The last time he went up to the minors to do a rehab assignment, he got there and he was playing. And then MLB was like, yo dude, you took steroids. You're suspended. And he did not make it to the majors again. So I'm just saying, it's not 100% chance, right?
HANNAH KEYSER: It's not 100% chance. I admittedly have not, I say that as if this is something to be ashamed, of watched every single minor league at-bat Fernando Tatis Jr. has taken or every half inning in the field. But now suddenly you have caused me to be very concerned about whether or not he's engaging in any kind of like risky baseball behavior. Not going to imply there's anything happening off the field, but it would be a real, oh gosh, , I hope you didn't just create this.
ZACH CRIZER: Look, no, I think when he comes back, assuming he makes it back to a Major League field, yeah, he's going to be really freaking good. He is making minor league pitchers hate their lives. He's hitting 116 mile per hour home runs like routinely. It looks very, very difficult for the minor league pitchers.
So I'm looking forward to seeing him back on a field. I hope he's back and healthy and everything is good. I have just had this rug pulled out from under me before.
HANNAH KEYSER: I worry that he will not actually be as I predict discourse. I predict discourse. Because he's been out for a very long time. I don't have the number in front of me, but it's been a long time. And he does look quite good in the minors. And I worry for him that he may not seamlessly transition into just absolutely pulverizing Major League pitching the way that he is pulverizing Minor League pitching.
I think he's going to be great in the long run but I fear for him that if he does not hit the ground running that there will be discourse. Because again, as you mentioned, he is coming back not just from injury, but from a lengthy PED suspension.
