PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) San Diego Padres prospect Fernando Tatis Jr. and Kansas City Royals counterpart Adalberto Mondesi have never met, even though their life stories suggest a cup of coffee is long overdue.
They would certainly have a lot to talk about.
Each of their clubs is counting on their dynamic young shortstop to form the cornerstone of a rebuild that could push them back to the postseason. Both have roots in the Dominican Republic, have fathers that played in the big leagues, and both possess the kind of five-tool stardom at one of the games premier position that leaves scouts and front-office executives in a tizzy.
On the field, off the field, how they handle themselves in the locker room I saw both of those guys when they were 18, 19 years old in a big league locker room, and they fit right in, said Padres first baseman Eric Hosmer, who prior to San Diego had spent his entire career in Kansas City.
They have a different swagger, a whole different confidence, Hosmer told The Associated Press. Its almost like they pictured this moment as a kid, being big league players.
They probably did.
Tatis grew up bouncing around clubhouses in Texas, St. Louis, Montreal and Boston before his father, Fernando Tatis, wrapped up his 11-year career with the New York Mets. While never a star, the elder Tatis did bat .265 over his career, hit 34 homers in a season for the Cardinals and once connected for two grand slams in an inning.
He broke into the big leagues at 22 years old, setting a bar that his powerful, precocious son could beat by two full years if he arrives later this summer.
Or later this spring, for that matter. Junior has a valuable supporter to break camp with the Padres in third baseman Manny Machado, who signed a $300 million contract this offseason. The two could form a formidable left side of the infield, and Machado is so confident in the young upstarts future that hes embraced a return to third base even though hed rather play shortstop himself.
Thats a hell of an infield wed have, Machado said. Hes a baller. He can play a little bit. I dont want him to blow up too much but he can play. Hes a special player and he wants to get better, and he wants to prove hes the best player in the game.
Tatis still has a long way to go in that respect.
The 20-year-old shortstop hit .286 with 16 homers and 43 RBIs at Double-A San Antonio last season, but he has just 102 games under his belt at that level. So even though hes raking in the Cactus League this spring, the reality is some time at Triple-A El Paso makes sense.
Regardless of Machados lobbying.
Were a different team if hes in the lineup, the four-time All-Star said. If hes in there, were going to be a dangerous team, and were all rooting for him to break camp with us.
When it comes to Mondesi, there is no such question.
