SI

Fernando Tatis Jr. Isn’t the Only Game-Changing Player to Return This Season

He is set to return to the Padres’ lineup Thursday for the first time in 18 months, and is part of a short list of players who could be the difference this season for their teams.

Tom Verducci

Fernando Tatis Jr. Isn’t the Only Game-Changing Player to Return This Season
Fernando Tatis Jr. Isn’t the Only Game-Changing Player to Return This Season /
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One player can be more than a game-changer. One player can be a season-changer. Look at what Justin Verlander did last season for Houston: from missing all of 2021 after Tommy John surgery to a Cy Young Award–winning season in which the Astros were 23–9 when he took the ball, including the swing game of their World Series victory. Based on little to no contributions in ’22, here are the biggest potential difference-makers this season.

1. Fernando Tatis Jr., Padres, OF

From 2019 to ’21, he was one of the three best players in the game. Still only 24 years old and after not playing for 18 months due to injuries and an 80-game PED suspension, Tatis believes he will get back to that same level.

2. Jacob deGrom, Rangers, RHP

The injury history is a factor, but there is no other pitcher who can throw a baseball at such velocities with command the way deGrom does. Texas can be a postseason team if deGrom makes 25 to 30 starts.

3. Gunnar Henderson, Orioles, IF

After getting a 34-game cameo last season, Henderson, only 21, has the tools to be one of the most exciting players in the game. Think Corey Seager with plus-speed and plus-plate recognition.

4. Jordan Walker, Cardinals, OF

Originally listed at 6'5", 220 pounds, the 20-year-old Walker now goes about 6'6" and 250 with light tower power. There is some swing-and-miss in his game, but he can make the Cardinals’ lineup scary deep.

5. Chris Sale, Red Sox, LHP

He has made only 11 starts over the past three years, so perhaps a 30-start season at age 34 is asking too much. But when Sale is right, he is a dominant strikeout machine.

Others to consider:

  • Kris Bryant, Rockies, OF
  • Corbin Carroll, Diamondbacks, OF
  • Oscar Colás, White Sox, OF
  • Michael Conforto, Giants, OF
  • Tyler Glasnow, Rays, RHP
  • Jarred Kelenic, Mariners, OF
  • Anthony Rendon, Angels, 3B
  • Grayson Rodriguez, Orioles, RHP
  • Anthony Volpe, Yankees, SS
  • Masataka Yoshida, Red Sox, OF
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Tom Verducci
TOM VERDUCCI

Tom Verducci is a senior writer for Sports Illustrated who has covered Major League Baseball since 1981. He also serves as an analyst for FOX Sports and the MLB Network; is a New York Times best-selling author; and cohosts The Book of Joe podcast with Joe Maddon. A five-time Emmy Award winner across three categories (studio analyst, reporter, short form writing) and nominated in a fourth (game analyst), he is a three-time National Sportswriter of the Year winner, two-time National Magazine Award finalist, and a Penn State Distinguished Alumnus Award recipient. Verducci is a member of the National Sports Media Hall of Fame, Baseball Writers Association of America (including past New York chapter chairman) and a Baseball Hall of Fame voter since 1993. He also is the only writer to be a game analyst for World Series telecasts. He lives in New Jersey with his wife, with whom he has two children.

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