Tatis: 'No wrong answers' for how Padres construct lineup
San Diego Padres outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr. is confident in the team's lineup, no matter how manager Bob Melvin decides to put it together.
"I feel like that's why they have Bob," Tatis said, according to Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune. "But I feel like there's no wrong answers."
The Padres featured a menacing top of the order during Thursday's spring contest against the Seattle Mariners, with Tatis hitting first, followed by Juan Soto and Manny Machado.
The collective, which had Soto excited when he first arrived in San Diego only to have them never play together last season, was responsible for three hits, an RBI, and a run scored on Thursday.
"It's definitely fun," Tatis said of the three players hitting first through third. "You know when you get on base, you're for sure moving."
The Padres won't feature the electric trio at the top of the order until Tatis serves the remaining 20 games of his suspension, but their lineup remains formidable without him. San Diego added Xander Bogaerts, Nelson Cruz, and Matt Carpenter this offseason.
Bogaerts figures to hit in one of the top four spots of the order, along with Tatis, Soto, and Machado, when the team is at full strength.
Padres' projected lineup when Tatis returns:
| ORDER | POS | PLAYER |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | RF | Fernando Tatis Jr. |
| 2 | LF | Juan Soto |
| 3 | 3B | Manny Machado |
| 4 | SS | Xander Bogaerts |
| 5 | DH | Nelson Cruz |
| 6 | 1B | Jake Cronenworth |
| 7 | 2B | Ha-Seong Kim |
| 8 | CF | Trent Grisham |
| 9 | C | Austin Nola |
"You could pick 1-2-3-4 out of a hat," Melvin said on Feb. 23.