Fernando Tatis Jr., despite being in the same rookie class as the young phenom Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who’s highly anticipated rookie campaign was following the induction of his father into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown after being known as one of the most entertaining, energetic players of his era, has had one of the most promising rookie seasons by a shortstop in Major League History. The Padres’ farm system, prior to the 2019 Major League season, was highly regarded and widely known as one, if not, the best minor league systems in the league due to their overload of young talent and strong prospects. Fernando Tatis Jr. was the leader and quite easily the best prospect of them all. His defensive wizardry, with his combination of quick hands, footwork, arm strength, and baseball IQ, would be impressive for a seasoned veteran. The reasoning for the hype: he is just 20 years young. However, maybe even more astonishing than his defensive consist and ability to make tough plays look routine is his unprecedented batting skills. His combination of bat control and power for such a young player is almost unheard of. In a day in age where shortstops may be at an all-time premium with players like Francisco Lindor, Xander Bogaerts, Javier Baez, and Carlos Correa patrolling the most important position on the diamond, Fernando Tatis Jr’s had the potential and raw talent to not only join those names as the elite shortstops in the game, but also maybe even pass them all, becoming the lone star at the position. Coming into the 2019 season, he was the favorite to win the NL Rookie of the Year award by countless analyst and scouts, and reasonably so. During his teenage years in the minors (17-19 years old), Tatis hit an astounding 42 homers while driving in 145 men and batting .280. Some players may cave under such high expectations. Tatis has flourished, and he, along with all-star 3B Manny Machado, have combined to create one of the scariest left -infields in all baseball.
Tatis Jr. is simply electric. In the early months of his career, he seems to be emerging as the new poster child of the “Let the kids play” motto the major league has been yearning to push forward. He never takes a play off. Every routine single could easily turn into a double due to his aggressiveness and speed. His power has been showcased early, as, through August 10th, he has 22 home runs. Maybe even more valuable is his .324 batting average, proving that, in an era where strikeouts, walks, and homers are exponentially increasing at a rate unseen before in Major League baseball, putting the ball in play and getting on base can be just as valuable as the long ball. Plus, his countless web gems and miraculous throws are incredible pieces of art. He is must-see baseball whenever he steps between the lines. You never know what he may do. His combination of talent, love for the game, and confidence is something Major League baseball desperately needed. The Padres may just have found the cornerstone to their franchise for years to come. As long as he is on the field, fans in San Diego, and around the country, will be drawn to Petco Park. He is one of the most exciting players in the game, and thankfully, at a young of 20 years-old, we will be able to enjoy his artwork for years to come.
Fernando Tatis Jr. is fantastic, but Ronald Acuna could very well be in the same class of electric players in the game. A known prospect to some, but with not nearly the same hype and praise as Tatis Jr. coming into the big leagues last year, Ronald Acuna quickly bursted into the limelight and become a household name to all baseball fans. With outfield talent like Mike Trout, Mookie Betts, Christian Yelich, Cody Bellinger, and Charlie Blackmon currently in the Major League, Ronald Acuna did not wait too long to officially join the list of elite outfield talent. After being moved to the leadoff position for the Atlanta Braves, Acuna hit 6 homers in 5 games. In a bush league attempt by the Miami Marlins and Jose Urena to slow down Acuna, he was intentionally plunked and later injured, officially ending his streak of consecutive games in which he homered. Despite the controversy, Acuna showed unprecedented maturity for a young player, going on to finish the year with 26 homers, 127 hits, and an OPS of .917. He would go on to win the NL Rookie of the Year award by a wide margin. His entertaining play, combined with his likeable demeanor and innocent personality, made him one of the most electric players in the league.
However, like all great players, Acuna did not rest on his laurels. In 2019, Acuna came out on a mission, becoming a young leader, along with fellow teammates Freddie Freeman and Ozzie Albies, of a division favorite and contender for a World Championship. As Cody Bellinger and Christian Yelich torched baseballs and emerged as the clear favorites to compete for the NL MVP award, Ronald Acuna slower improved and began showcasing his talents on a consistent basis. Unlike Tatis Jr., Acuna is participating in meaningful baseball games. The Braves have almost ensured a division championship and playoff berth, meaning Acuna is not only playing outstanding, electrifying baseball, but he is also doing it in order to continue winning crucial games against potential division threats like the scorching hot Mets (who won 13 of 14 in Late July and early August), Phillies, and Nationals. His 34 homers thus far in 2019 puts him 6th in the league, but even more telling is his hit total, at 147, and run total, at 101. He is getting on base for his teammates and he is running like a madman. Only Mookie Betts has more runs scored this year, but his 28 stolen bases sets him apart from many of the other sluggers in today’s game. So, not only is he a must-see at bat every time he comes to the plate (did I mention his .921 OPS?) with his ability to showcase his quick hands and incredible power, but once he is on base, you must always be on your toes. He may go first-to-home on a single. He may run a stop sign and score on a risky single to left field. Or, he may just simply steal second and third on a defense and get himself in scoring position. You truly never know what he will do on offense, and to mix that with his ridiculous arm strength and ability to play any position in the outfield, we, as viewers, are truly witnessing an all-time great player on a daily basis. It is no wonder he was the starting center fielder for this years NL All Star team, next to, you guessed it: Cody Bellinger and Christian Yelich.
Fernando Tatis Jr. had the hype. Ronald Acuna had the expectations. Both have not only rose to the occasion, but have even surpassed the insurmountable pressure placed on their shoulders in extremely entertaining fashion. However, unlike Tatis Jr. and Acuna, Pete Alonso was very rarely talked about leading up to the 2019 season, and playing in the Mets organization, where heartbreak and disappointment has been consistently expected for the better part of 3 decades, he had almost no true expectations outside of the Mets franchise. If he had an average or below average season this year, no one would truly have been discontent besides himself. It would have been viewed as a necessary step for a young rookie and mediocre prospect. How does he respond to the disrespect: By hitting 38 homers, winning the most entertaining home run derby in the history of the sport (on a night where Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit 91 home runs), and leading the Mets on an improbable comeback to the head of the wild card race. He may not have been the player New Yorkers or baseball fans around the country expected, but he is certainly one that everyone has their eyes on now. If his play so far has proven anything, it is that we should not expect this man to slow down anytime soon. Alonso is here to stay, and he is here to menace baseballs, and the NL East, for years to come.
Does Alonso have the pure athleticism as Acuna or Tatis Jr? No. Does he demonstrate flashy defensive plays or present blinding speed on the base paths like Tatis Jr or Acuna? No. But does his raw power, sheer size and strength, and ability to hit balls at a blistering pace completely out of a stadium make his at-bats incredibly entertaining and electrifying? Absolutely. Pete Alonso looks like a middle linebacker in the NFL. Maybe he isn’t as jaw-droppingly large as Aaron Judge, but his size in the batters box is impossible for opposing pitchers to ignore. With his size comes astounding power. Pete Alonso does not hit cheap, wall scrapping big flies despite homers fling out of ballparks at an unforeseen pace. Not only do his home runs travel far beyond the walls of almost every ballpark he plays in, but they take off on contact. The ball simply jumps off his bat. He once hit a ball at Marlins Park in Miami at 112.8 mile per hour. It traveled 444 feet. Needless to say, it was a no-doubter. Alonso is a threat to do this every single at bat. Unlike some rookies who benefit from having no scouting report on them for opposing pitchers to attack weaknesses in their game, Alonso has no true hole in his approach or swing path. There is no single way to get this guy out. High fastballs go into orbit. Low off-speed pitches get golfed into the streets of Queens. Pitching outside of the zone does not affect him, as Alonso is mature enough to take his pitches and snag a free base. At a young age, it truly is incredible to see Alonso hit balls as hard as he does with such consistency and poise. Every at-bat is a possible highlight reel tape measure. And, as the Mets begin to surge forward, largely due to the works of Alonso and the pure power that he displays on a nightly basis, we may begin to see this young kid perform in meaningful games down the stretch. If he continues his play, we may even see him in the bright lights of playoff baseball.
So, what is more electrifying? Moon-scrapping homers that travel at the speed of light? Defensive wizardry mixed with unmatched quickness and power in the batters box? Or truly elite, consist all-around play from someone emerging as one of the best players in this generation? That is something only you can find out. One thing is for sure though: no matter who you watch, between Fernando Tatis Jr., Ronald Acuna, or Pete Alonso, you are ensured to have a great time. Enjoy it while it lasts. These players, and players of their caliber, do not last forever.
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