The San Diego Padres made the decision to have right fielder Fernando Tatis Jr. bat first on the batting order for the first time in his ninth game of Spring Training. The move is believed to be a surprising decision since no one really knows where Tatis Jr. will actually be placed on the batting order once the 2026 season starts.
Throughout the 2025 season, Tatis Jr. spent the majority of the time first on the batting order. His talent and leadership earned him the trust of the Padres organization to lead off in most games and give the team a high chance of giving them the edge on the field.
Advertisement
There is still uncertainty on where Tatis Jr. will be placed on the batting order since he has been batting third on the lineup in his eight previous Spring Training matchups. That decision might not be made up until the start of the 2026 season draws nearer.
Throughout the 2025 regular season, Tatis Jr. proved how important he was as the lead-off hitter, connecting with 25 HRs and 71 RBIs. Tatis Jr. also contributed with 25 stolen bases and had a batting average of .268.
Advertisement
With Tatis Jr. possibly being moved to third in the batting order, the Padres will have to decide either to have third basemanManny Machado or center fielder Jackson Merrill as the leadoff hitter for the 2026 season. Both men are essential players for the Padres, but with history backing him, it’s more than likely that Machado could be the one to take that responsibility.
San Diego Padres outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr. (23)© Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images
(© Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images)
The Padres ended the 2025 season with a 90-72 record, positioning them in second place in the NL West and earning them a wild card spot in the playoffs. The Padres would ultimately be eliminated in the Wild Card, losing 2-1 to the Chicago Cubs.
Advertisement
The Padres have qualified to the playoffs four out of the last six seasons, with their best showing happening in 2022. Despite eliminating the favorites, the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Padres would fall short in the NLCS against the Philadelphia Phillies.
With multiple playoff appearances in this decade, the Padres will continue to be a competitive force to deal with in the NL West. The Padres will look to not only make it past the NLCS, but to also win the World Series and hold the trophy that has eluded them in their entire history.
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Mar 23, 2026, where it first appeared in the MLB section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.