The San Diego Padres' offense has been lacking its home-run potential this season and is one of the worst teams in baseball when it comes to homers in 2025. But the recent production from a couple of sluggers has helped the team turn things around.
After striking out four times against the Colorado Rockies on Friday in a loss, Fernando Tatis Jr. needed some inspiration and advice. He called up a former Major Leaguer and got the advice he needed.
Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune shared the story behind Tatis's phone call on Saturday morning, which helped spark an incredible offensive turnaround for Tatis that helped the Padres secure a series win over the Rockies.
Which former MLB player did Tatis Jr. call for advice?
Unsurprisingly, Tatis called upon his father, Fernando Tatis, to ask for advice and thoughts on his hitting. He played from 1997 to 2010, and had a solid .785 OPS at the plate in his big league career. When his son called him on Saturday morning, Tatis Jr. got some quality advice, evidenced by his offensive surge in the final two games of the series.
"I picked his brain," Tatis Jr. said." There was some good back and forth."
The phone call helped, as Tatis Jr. went 5/7 with five runs scored, one home run, two RBIs, one stolen base, and two walks with no strikeouts in the final two games against the Rockies.
The Padres are 2.5 games back of the Los Angeles Dodgers for the NL West, but the Dodgers don't have an easy finish to the season, with the Philadelphia Phillies, San Francisco Giants, and Arizona Diamondbacks on their schedule before closing out the year against the Seattle Mariners in Seattle.
MORE: Padres' Manny Machado sounds off on team's 'tough stretch'
Having Tatis Jr. return to form offensively for the home stretch would be. A huge boon for the Padres. They're in striking distance of the Dodgers and could win the NL West for the first time in nearly 20 years.
This series against the Rockies showcased just how great Tatis Jr. has been. Despite a terrible performance on Friday, he bounced back in a major way to help the Padres close out the series strong.
He's hitting .264 with an .804 OPS this season, which is another strong year, which is even more impressive considering the huge home run drought in the middle of the year.
After a rough Friday night, Tatis Jr. called his father and was able to course-correct and turn in a great final two games to help secure a series win.
Not many athletes in sports have the luxury that Tatis has with his father, and he used that connection to his fullest advantage during the Rockies series over the weekend.
MORE MLB NEWS:
- Phillies get good news on potential Kyle Schwarber free agent market
- Phillies' Kyle Schwarber receives $35 million free agent prediction
- Cubs' legend shares insights on Pete Crow-Armstrong's performance and potential
- Guardians' Jose Ramirez on pace to join Hank Aaron in incredible MLB history
- Cardinals' outfielder's job may be in jeopardy if poor play continues
- Yankees' Aaron Judge responds to arm strength concerns after return to outfield