There is no bigger story than the return of Fernando Tatis Jr. to the San Diego Padres lineup after fulfilling his suspension this week. It comes after missing the entire 2022 season with a broken wrist and getting suspended for 80 games after testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs.
Of course, everyone expects Tatis Jr.’s stock will drop with some of the Friar Faithful. But his return to the lineup could not have come at a better time. The young superstar has something to prove, yet it will come at the price of a player being removed from the roster.
Here are three possible roster moves for the San Diego Padres with the return of Fernando Tatis Jr.
Brandon Dixon, RH Utility Player
Dixon saw the diamond a lot this spring … and it was not for nothing. He competed for playing time with David Dahl in right field during Tatis Jr.’s absence. Today, Dixon is playing out of necessity because of injuries and a lack of production from the Padres lineup.
The team’s coaching staff loves Dixon’s versatility as he can play almost any position defensively. His athleticism helped him to stand out in the field. Dixon is primarily a corner outfielder but has become a serviceable first and third baseman when needed. It made sense for the Friars to bring Dixon back onto the roster because of his ability to play multiple positions.
The Los Angeles Dodgers drafted Dixon in the third round of the 2013 MLB Amateur Draft as an infielder but converted him into a utility player. Every organization Dixon has played with praises his willingness to learn a new position.
The Padres are his fourth organization, as he nearly retired after suffering an elbow injury last season. But Dixon could not turn down an opportunity to play for his hometown team. However, Dixon’s stay in the majors could be short as Tatis Jr. is eligible to come off the suspended list on Thursday.
Jose Azocar, RH Outfielder
Azocar’s name has been repeated over-and-over-again as one of the top Friars outfield prospects, and 2023 is his chance to remove that label and remain in the majors. Scouts were bullish on him as an international free agent signee of the Detroit Tigers in 2012. They were confident that Azocar’s bat would catch up to his fielding prowess. But that was not the case until joining the Padres as a minor league free agent in 2022.
Azocar has a major league career batting average of .254 in limited playing time. His at-bats have never been an issue with him staying on the Friars’ major league roster. He has good plate discipline, as his strikeout rate (19.7 percent) is lower than the league average (24.7 percent).
However, at this point, Azocar has not proven to hit major league pitching consistently. But he is an A-plus defensive outfielder who can track hard-hit balls into the gap. And that skill alone will keep him on the roster.
Rougned Odor, LH Utility Player
The odds of Rougned Odor making the Padres Opening Day roster seemed non-existent after he signed a major league deal during spring training. But his play in Peoria sealed his spot on the roster.
Odor created his opportunity by learning how to play the outfield, especially with the uncertainty in right field at the start of the season. His defense is not near Trent Grisham’s level, but he can provide above-average play. Also, Odor is an ideal left-handed pinch-hitting option off the bench. The Friars front office loves having a power hitter available to bat late in close games.
It is an outside shot that Odor will be removed from the roster, but his spot is in jeopardy with Tatis Jr.’s pending arrival. You have to believe Odor has a path to stay with the Padres all season long. Their decision might come down to how versatile the bench needs to be moving forward.
Tatis Jr. is going to be the Padres full-time right-fielder, but the organization must handle him with care. He has not played in a regular season game since the end of the 2021 campaign. And all of his health issues need to be answered before the Friars can put them in the rearview mirror.
Granted, Tatis Jr.’s performance in El Paso was nothing short of spectacular. And a good start to reclaiming his role as one of the top young stars in baseball.