Texas notes: Tatis Jr. standing tall with Missions
For now, Fernando Tatis Jr. has one thing over his (to this point) more accomplished father. About four inches. Tatis Jr., who started his first full season at Double-A San Antonio, stands 6-foot-3, possibly a whole head taller than his father, who at 5-foot-11 played 11 seasons with five teams, most notably
For now, Fernando Tatis Jr. has one thing over his (to this point) more accomplished father.
About four inches.
Tatis Jr., who started his first full season at Double-A San Antonio, stands 6-foot-3, possibly a whole head taller than his father, who at 5-foot-11 played 11 seasons with five teams, most notably the St. Louis Cardinals. But the youngster hasn't given his father any grief about his physical edge.
"Yeah, I'm taller than him," Tatis said with a laugh before a recent Texas League game. "But he's the boss, so there's not much to do."
If scouts and prospect rankings are correct, though, the younger Tatis might be on his way to passing his father's Major League accomplishments as fast as he did his stature.
Signed out of the Dominican Republic by the White Sox as a 16-year-old in 2015, Tatis was traded to the Padres along with another player for James Shields the next season. He's spent the two years since then growing into his current frame and troubling Minor League pitchers. Last year, in his first full season with the Padres, he hit .278/.379/.498 with 22 home runs, 75 RBIs and 32 stolen bases split between Class A Advanced Fort Wayne and San Antonio.
"Of course, it was important," Tatis said of the production in his first full season in the Minors. "That's part of being 19 years old. You're still growing up, you're still developing. … I was working hard in the gym, trying to get strength and speed, both of them. And I think it came out."
The breakout season led to Tatis being ranked as the Padres' top prospect by MLB.com, the No. 2 shortstop and the No. 8 prospect overall.
It also led to his first big league camp, where he homered in his first Spring Training game and hit .281 while sidling up to Freddy Galvis and Eric Hosmer for advice.
"Pretty good teammates," he said.
Not that he needed to know the ins and outs of a big league clubhouse. Tatis was 11 when his father quit playing, so he remembers quite a bit about his final years with the New York Mets. Guidance on how to play the game has come over the years, of course, but so too has advice on how to navigate the early stages of the Minor Leagues.
"My dad just keeps it simple with me," said Tatis, whose grandfather played for about a decade in the Astros system. "He just says 'work hard, you know what to do and no matter what, have fun. Because this game is going to be tough on you, and you've got to keep it that way.'"
Tatis started this season in a 0-for-12 slump but has three multi-hit games since with one home run, two doubles and five RBIs for the Missions.
Some projections have him reaching the Majors next season, but Tatis said he's not focusing on the finishing line, but rather the simple advice passed along by his father.
"Moving up, that's something you can't control," he said. "Keep playing baseball. Obviously, you have have to put some numbers up there, but also keep having fun."
In brief
Don't forget about Josh: Tatis Jr. may be the Texas League's highest-rated prospect, but teammate Josh Naylor has had perhaps the league's best start. The first baseman and outfielder, ranked as the Padres' No. 16 prospect, has two multi-homer games already this season, and his six long balls are tied for the lead in all Double-A leagues. He's hitting .395 with 15 RBIs and slugging .837, all of which either lead or rank second in the Texas League.
Back for Moore:Andrew Moore made it look easy in the Texas League last season. The right-hander had a 2.08 ERA through five starts with 33 strikeouts for the Arkansas Travelers before being promoted to Triple-A Tacoma and, eventually, the Seattle Mariners. Moore is back in Arkansas to start 2018 and he's picked up where he left off last summer. He held teams to one combined run in his first two starts before giving up five runs in his third start, but his 26 strikeouts in 16 1/3 innings lead the Texas League. He owns a 3.31 ERA and has yet to record a decision.
Newcomer on top:Hunter Cole is in his first season with the Texas Rangers organization after being acquired from the San Francisco Giants in a trade for Sam Dyson. Cole, a four-year veteran of Double-A, has looked comfortable despite his new surroundings. He was hitting a Texas League-best .405 heading into Wednesday night's games with 15 hits, eight runs scored, seven RBIs and a .522 on-base percentage that ranks second.
Troy Schulte is a contributor to MiLB.com.
Three Homers Power Chasers to 8-3 win over Clippers
PAPILLION, NEB. – The Omaha Storm Chasers won a second straight game over the Columbus Clippers, as three homers and a quality start paved the way for an 8-3 victory Wednesday night at Werner Park. John Rave walked to open the bottom of the first inning, then quickly scored on
Storm Chasers win Series Opener Over Clippers 9-3
PAPILLION, NEB. – The Omaha Storm Chasers won the series opener over the Columbus Clippers, a 9-3 win Tuesday night at Werner Park. Chandler Champlain earned his first win of the season, holding the Clippers to 1 run over 5.0 innings, while allowing just one walk and striking out six.
Chasers Walked off in Louisville to Split Series With Bats
LOUISVILLE, KY. – The Omaha Storm Chasers were walked off on by the Louisville Bats, 4-3 in the nine innings, to force a series split at Louisville Slugger Field. The two teams traded scoreless frames in the first three innings, but the Bats got on the board in the fourth,
Avila Spins Gem in 9-0 Omaha win at Louisville
LOUISVILLE, KY. – The Omaha Storm Chasers won a third straight game over the Louisville Bats, a 9-0 win Saturday at Louisville Slugger Field. Right-hander Luinder Avila compiled his best outing at the Triple-A level and one of the best of his professional career, as the righty held the Bats
Chasers Even Series With 5-2 win over Bats
LOUISVILLE, KY. – The Omaha Storm Chasers evened this week’s series with the Louisville Bats at one win apiece, with a 5-2 win Friday night at Louisville Slugger Field. The two teams traded runs early, with both sides scoring a run in the first. John Rave and Nick Loftin drew
Hatch First Quality Start as Chasers Beat Bats
LOUISVILLE, KY. – The Omaha Storm Chasers scored six runs in the sixth inning, en route to a 6-1 win over the Louisville Bats Thursday at Louisville Slugger Field. Omaha starter Thomas Hatch threw his first quality start of the season, holding the Bats to one run over 6.0 innings.
Rave Homers Twice but Omaha Falls in Louisville 6-5
LOUISVILLE, KY. – Despite a pair of home runs from John Rave, the Omaha Storm Chasers fell to the Louisville Bats, 6-5 at Louisville Slugger Field Wednesday afternoon. Rave opened the game with a solo homer, his third such long ball of the season, giving Omaha a 1-0 lead. He
Omaha falls to Louisville 9-1
LOUISVILLE, KY. - Despite promising early defense, the Omaha Storm Chasers’ bats remained stagnant and an explosive 8th inning from the Louisville Bats saw Omaha fall in the series opener 9-1. Noah Cameron made his first Triple-A start since making his dominant MLB Debut with the Royals at Tampa Bay,
Five Homers Fuel Omaha’s 8-1 Win
PAPILLION, NEB. – The Omaha Storm Chasers forced a series split with the Indianapolis Indians, as a season-high five home runs and dominant pitching led to Omaha’s largest winning margin of the season, 8-1. Omaha scored two runs in the first and stayed ahead for the rest of the game.
Chasers Bullpen Holds Indy Scoreless in 5-1 win
PAPILLION, NEB. – The Omaha Storm Chasers played back into the win column Saturday night, with a 5-1 win over the Indianapolis Indians. Omaha threw a bullpen game, opened by Anthony Simonelli, who tossed a scoreless first inning. Simonelli allowed an unearned run in the second, then Omaha’s bullpen kept
Chasers Held to 2 Hits in 6-0 Loss to Indy
PAPILLION, NEB. – The Omaha Storm Chasers lost a second straight game and third of four this week with the Indianapolis Indians, a 6-0 shutout loss Friday night at Werner Park. The Indians scored a run in the third on an RBI single off Omaha starter Thomas Hatch and led
Omaha Falls to Indianapolis 7-2
PAPILLION, NEB. – The Omaha Storm Chasers fell to the Indianapolis Indians 7-2 Thursday night at Werner Park, trailing for all nine innings in the game. The contest opened as a pitchers’ duel, with just one hit between the two sides over the first three innings. Omaha’s Ryan Ramsey allowed
Noah Cameron Makes MLB Debut With Kansas City Royals
PAPILLION, NEB. – Omaha Storm Chasers left-handed starting pitcher Noah Cameron made his MLB debut for the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, in their game at George M. Steinbrenner Field against the Tampa Bay Rays, the fourth Storm Chaser to debut in the Major Leagues this season
Chasers Score Seven Unanswered to Snap Losing Streak
PAPILLION, NEB. – The Omaha Storm Chasers ended their eight-game losing streak Wednesday night, clinching a comeback win to defeat the Indianapolis Indians 9-6 to collect their first win since April 18. Omaha starter Chandler Champlain set the tone early, retiring the first seven batters he faced. Peyton Wilson collected
Storm Chasers Drop Series Opener to Indians
PAPILLION, NEB. – The Omaha Storm Chasers lost an eighth consecutive game, dropping Tuesday’s series opener to the Indianapolis Indians 9-7. Indianapolis plated four runs in the first inning on a grand slam and led the rest of the day, with a sacrifice fly in the third inning adding another
Storm Chasers Fall 2-0 to Mud Hens
TOLEDO, OHIO – The Omaha Storm Chasers lost a seventh straight game, falling to the Toledo Mud Hens 2-0 Sunday afternoon, as the Mud Hens swept the Storm Chasers in the six-game series. Toledo scored its first run in the second inning and led the rest of the way, as
Omaha Swept by Toledo in Doubleheader
TOLEDO, OHIO – The Omaha Storm Chasers were swept in a doubleheader Saturday at Fifth Third Field, losing to the Toledo Mud Hens by scores of 3-1 and 4-1. GAME 1: Toledo 3, Omaha 1 After both teams saw their opening pitcher fire two scoreless innings, including 2.0 hitless innings
Omaha Drops Third Straight to Toledo
TOLEDO, OHIO – The Omaha Storm Chasers dropped a third straight game to the Toledo Mud Hens losing 4-3 in 9 innings in the second walk-off defeat of the week for Omaha. Omaha starter Chandler Champlain started strong, retiring his first five batters before four straight singles and an error
Chasers Drop Second Straight to Mud Hens
TOLEDO, OHIO - The Omaha Storm Chasers let twice and kept the game close but couldn’t keep up with the Toledo Mud Hens, falling 8-4 Wednesday at Fifth Third Field. Omaha started hot in the top of the first with a leadoff single from Dustin Dickerson. MJ Melendez followed with
Storm Chasers Drop Series Opener to Mud Hens in 13 Innings
TOLEDO, OHIO – The Omaha Storm Chasers dropped the series opener to the Toledo Mud Hens Tuesday night, a 9-8 loss in 13 innings that lasted over 4 hours. The first four batters of the game reached base for Omaha, with Luke Maile drawing a bases-loaded walk to take a
April 20th Omaha Storm Chasers Game Cancelled
PAPILLION, NEB. – Due to current rain showers and impending inclement weather throughout the day, the Omaha Storm Chasers’ home game against the Norfolk Tides has been cancelled today – Sunday, April 20th – due to inclement weather. With today’s game being the final time Omaha and Norfolk play each
Chasers Fall to Tides 11-1
PAPILLION, NEB. – The Omaha Storm Chasers fell to the Norfolk Tides 11-1 Saturday afternoon at Werner Park. Throwing a bullpen game for the third time in four days, Omaha fell behind early as the Tides tagged starter Anthony Simonelli for one run in the first. Norfolk knocked Simonelli out
Sixth Inning Rally Carries Chasers to 10-8 win Over Tides
PAPILLION, NEB. – The Omaha Storm Chasers scored eight runs in the sixth inning for the team’s third come-from-behind win of the week, a 10-8 victory Friday night over the Norfolk Tides at Werner Park. Norfolk jumped out to an early lead, tagging starter Noah Cameron for three runs in
Chasers top Tides 4-2 for Second Comeback win of Series
PAPILLION, NEB. – The Omaha Storm Chasers scored three in the eighth inning for the team’s second late comeback win of the week, a 4-2 win over the Norfolk Tides Thursday night at Werner Park. After both starting pitchers threw scoreless first innings, Thursday’s game entered a rain delay before
Tides Top Chasers 15-6 on “All About Kids Day” at Werner Park
PAPILLION, NEB. – The Omaha Storm Chasers fell behind in the first inning and trailed for the rest of the game, losing to the Norfolk Tides 15-6 Wednesday afternoon at Werner Park. Norfolk knocked Omaha starter Cruz Noriega out of the game in the second inning, tagging the right-hander for