Padres News: Watch Fernando Tatis Jr. Hit 1st Cactus League Home Run
With every day that has passed in Spring Training this year, Fernando Tatis Jr. has looked more and more like his usual self. There were initial concerns from fans at first when he failed to garner a hit in his first handful of games but those struggles seem to behind the All-Star now.
Tatis has truly been under a microscope during his Cactus League games and his performances were bound to be talked about throughout the league no matter how good or bad they were. Even his initial attempts to play the outfield were immediately judged whenever he made mistakes.
However, the slugger gave the San Diego Padres something to smile about on Friday as recorded his first home run all Spring in their match against the Seattle Mariners. The crowd immediately erupted and Tatis took his time to round all the bases and really soaked in one of the best feelings in baseball.
Tatis had come close to doing so multiple times in previous games but he finally got one to go and it couldn't have come at a better time. His fellow teammates are beginning to return from the World Baseball Classic and he has had time to get even more comfortable on the field again in their absence.
The 24-year-old has been clocking in hours to ensure that he is ready to go once April rolls around. He joined the MLB's AJ Cassavell after the exhibition and spoke about how it feels to get acclimated at the plate again.
"Oh man, I almost forgot how to do it," said Tatis. "I just feel like the work we're putting in is definitely working. I'm just getting more confident, with more at-bats. "
This is nothing but a sign of more good things to come in San Diego. Petco Park will be one of the hottest attractions in America this year as Tatis returns to the lineup again along with fellow star teammates.
