Franimal!
Franmil Reyes is locked in lately, and is a threat to knock a baseball over the outfield wall every time he steps up to the plate these days. Case in point, when he came up in the 2nd inning after a run-scoring double by Eric Hosmer...
Beastin' out @La_Mole_13#FriarFaithful pic.twitter.com/DZXluY0ONe
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) April 24, 2019
Later, Franmil decided that 3 runs wasn’t going to be enough for the Padres, and added a solo shot...
Back at it again with the center field bombs #FriarFaithful pic.twitter.com/6zur7jZrcm
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) April 24, 2019
Hedges does it all (with some help)
Austin Hedges has been hitting better lately, but it’s his glove that will keep him in the starting catcher spot, and he got a chance to show it off in this one...
Thanks for flying Austin Airlines, now with nonstop service to first ✈️#FriarFaithful pic.twitter.com/KwlEUBREkC
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) April 24, 2019
That isn’t just an incredible play, that’s a play that 99% of catchers just couldn’t make no matter the circumstances. It also kept a speedy leadoff hitter from starting the inning on base, and probably kept the Mariners off the board that inning despite a walk and a double to the next two hitters.
However, it was Hedges’ 6th inning HR that you’ll likely see on highlight reels around the country...
That's new ¯\_(ツ)_/¯#FriarFaithful pic.twitter.com/GPt5nO6IqX
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) April 24, 2019
That’s a rough break for Mallex Smith, who worked hard to get in the right spot and time his jump well. Even so, he’ll be famous for a little while for giving Hedges a free HR.
Tatis continues to be everything
Fernando Tatis Jr. should not be this good at this age, but he 100% is. Not only does he show great defense, and a ton of power for a shortstop, but he flashed his speed and ability to go the other way for a base hit in this game.
Tatis Jr. is now hitting over .300 with an OPS over .950, which would make him a shoe-in to make the NL All-Star team if he kept those numbers up.
There’s nothing Tatis can’t do!
In addition to his skills on the field, he appears to be the heart and soul of this Padres team. He’s the first one to celebrate with his teammates when they have success, and he seems to be getting everyone fired up and excited at all times. He plays the game like someone who wakes up with a smile on his face, knowing that he gets to play a game for a living, and it’s contagious.