Fernando Tatis Jr.

Fernando Tatis Jr. is the glow-in-the-dark, neon-colored wild card sitting in every fantasy baseball draft of 2023. Tatis missed the entire 2022 season with injuries and a PED suspension in August. The injuries have been addressed: He surgically repaired his torn labrum shortly after his suspension for a nagging shoulder issue that plagued him, and he had surgery on his left wrist in October. The suspension will end on April 20, so fantasy managers don't have to take a long absence into account. It's just every other part of the picture that muddies the water. Tatis's raw skills are phenomenal; he hits the ball as hard as anyone in the game, runs extremely well, and gets on base. He will be surrounded by superstar talent in the San Diego lineup, and he will have SS and OF eligibility in 2023, but he probably won't be playing the demanding infield position. If someone could guarantee that 2021 Tatis is who we're getting, he'd be a Top 5 pick, but the variables are numerous, and the impact is unknown. Someone will spend a high-round draft pick on him, so you only have to ask yourself if it will be you.

Fernando Tatis Jr. takes batting practice

San Diego Padres star Fernando Tatis Jr. has begun taking batting practice.

Fantasy Impact

After several setbacks with his wrist injury that cost him much of the 2022 season, a PED suspension officially ruled Tatis Jr. out for the campaign. Furthermore, Tatis Jr. underwent shoulder surgery to address an issue that cost him time in the 2021 season. While he's returned to hitting, Tatis Jr. can't return until Apr. 20 and will begin the 2023 season as a full-time outfielder following the Padres' signing of Xander Bogaerts. The controversial star hit 42 home runs with 25 steals across 130 games in 2021.