Tatis, one of the game’s most dynamic young players, homered three times in the San Diego Padres’ 11-5 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks from Petco Park, raising his National League-leading total to 25.
Right behind them is Los Angeles Angels two-way sensation Shohei Ohtani, who hit one into the catwalk at Tropicana Field in St.
In the bottom of the first, the 22-year-old shortstop turned on a 1-1 changeup near the middle of the plate from D-backs starter Corbin Martin and hit it 400 feet to left-center field.
Tatis posed for a moment on his backswing, then casually flipped his bat in the direction of the Padres’ dugout before beginning his trot around the bases.
“When he’s under control, when he’s just staying within himself, he really lets his talent play,” Tingler said.
Tatis has reached 25 home runs in only 59 games this season, becoming the fastest player ever to reach that mark at age 22 or younger.
He got to a 3-0 count in the seventh, then fouled off a sinker and lined another sinker for a base hit to give him 13 total bases, tying a Padres single-game record.
Tatis told reporters before the game that he would be skipping this year’s Home Run Derby largely because he didn’t want to risk further injury to his tender left shoulder, which has continually given him problems since spring training.
“I’m 22,” said Tatis, who is slashing .293/.373/.702 and also has 15 stolen bases.