Ken Caminiti may soon have company. It’s been a quarter of a century since a Padres player has made good arguments for the National League Most Valuable Player award. But Dominican Fernando Tatis Jr. seems determined to change that.
Tatis’ incredible season continued on Friday in San Diego’s 7-0 win over the Athletics at the Oakland Coliseum. Taking the lead for the first time in three weeks, Tatis went 2 for 5 and hit his 14th homer to tie Mike Trout for the major league lead.
“Without seeing the entire league, I can’t imagine anyone is producing more,” Padres foreman Jayce Tingler said of Tatis.
The numbers back Tingler. Tatis entered Saturday as the National League leader in runs scored, home runs, RBIs and WAR. If he can finish the season as strong as he started it, Tatis could join Caminiti (1996) as the only players in franchise history to have been recognized as MVP.
“A lot of that is just staying consistent and helping my team win,” Tatis said this week. “If I win a trophy, amen. But the most important thing is that we want to make the postseason and hopefully win a World Series. “
Tatis is doing her part to make that happen. With a 24-16 record with 20 games to play, the Padres appear well on their way to their first postseason appearance in 14 years. San Diego added several impact pieces through changes and they have the second-best career differential in the majors.
Right now, Tatis’ rivals for NL MVP appear to be the Giants’ Mike Yastrzemski and the Dodgers’ Mookie Betts. Both have had excellent campaigns. The same can be said of Tatis’s teammate, Manny Machado. But it’s hard to advocate for any of those players over Tatis.
After Friday’s game, Tatis played down Tingler’s decision to lead him after he ranked second in the offensive order for three weeks.
“Wherever they need me, I’m just going to hit the ball,” Tatis said.
There is no reason to doubt it. In 40 games this season, the Dominican has a .308 average and a 1.046 OPS.
Perhaps the final argument in favor of Tatis’ MVP bid is the value he brings to a rising team. This is the Padres’ best team in at least a decade, and maybe more. Tatis is his best player. Out of nowhere, San Diego has emerged as a contender this year.
“What can I say? We’re playing playoff baseball right now, ”Tatis said. (GG) (Taken MLB: COM)