Fernando Tatis Jr. – the San Diego Padres future designated hitter

The universal designated hitter is coming, whether we like it or not. The days of watching pitchers drop down sacrifice bunts and flail away in the batter’s box are nearing the end. For National League teams, this will change their roster construction, and may provide chances to players who would have been otherwise buried on the bench or in the minors.

For the San Diego Padres, the eventual DH spot will make a major difference to their defense. While there is no questioning Fernando Tatis Jr.‘s ability with the bat, his defensive woes this season have put the Padres in a difficult spot when it comes to the lineup.

Fernando Tatis Jr. – the San Diego Padres future DH

Padres pitchers have allowed 21 unearned runs this season, with Tim Hill and Chris Paddack having been particularly victimized by their defense. Tatis has been an adventure on the diamond, making 11 errors in just 24 games at short; his .880 fielding percentage being more at home during the early part of the 19th century.

Meanwhile, the Padres have Ha-Seong Kim on the bench in a utility role. He won the Korean Baseball Organization’s Gold Glove at short for three consecutive years from 2018 through 2020, showing excellent range and a solid arm. He has impressed defensively at every position he has played thus far for the Padres, furthering his reputation as an excellent defensive player.

There is a drastic difference in terms of Kim and Tatis, both offensively and defensively. Tatis has posted a 144 OPS+ this season, belting nine homers and leading the National League with seven steals in just 108 plate appearances. However, he has also cost the Padres five runs already at short.

Kim, meanwhile, has not been the same offensive force he was in Korea. He has posted an OPS+ of 44, hitting one homer and two doubles in 84 plate appearances. Defensively, he has saved a run at short, another run at third, and two at second. It is possible that he will hit more with a defined role, which he has not had this season.

That would change with the universal designated hitter. Tatis’ defensive woes would not be as much of a concern as he could slot in at that spot. Kim would be a major upgrade defensively at short, giving the Padres, and their pitching staff, another excellent glove on the left side of the infield. With Kim and Manny Machado on that side, the Padres’ run prevention would be that much stronger.

The universal designated hitter is eventually coming to baseball. When it does, Fernando Tatis Jr. should be the San Diego Padres primary DH.