Over the years, we have seen some All-Star caliber players make position changes. Fernando Tatis Jr. Is one of these players, making the switch from shortstop to the outfield.
This has been one of the most seamless transitions and one that has made the San Diego Padres a better club. He has full control of right field while Xander Bogaerts shuts things down at shortstop.
During Tatis' first full year in the outfield in 2023, he won a Platinum Glove Award, which is crazy to think about. That season, he was viewed as the National League's best defender, while playing a position he had never played before.
Padres' Fernando Tatis Jr. Named NL's best defender for second time
Now, Fernando Tatis Jr. Can add another Platinum Glove Award to his shelf. On Friday, he was named the NL's best while Kansas City Royals slugger Bobby Witt Jr. Took home the award on the American League side.
Tatis Jr. Led all NL right fielders in Defensive Runs Saved and made multiple highlight reel plays during the year. Witt Jr. Led all MLB players in Outs Above Average.
The Platinum Glove Award has been around since 2011, and with Tatis Jr. Winning his second, he joins some pretty elite company. The only other players to have received the award twice so far are Nolan Arenado, Yadier Molina, Adrian Beltre, Matt Chapman, Alex Gordon, and now the Padres' star.
If the Padres' star can take home another one, he would be just the third player to do so. Only Yadier Molina and Nolan Arenado have been able to accomplish the impressive feat.
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