Spring Training has only just started, and San Diego Padres superstar Fernando Tatis Jr. is already in midseason form.

Tatis crushed a long grand slam off Arizona Diamondbacks left-hander Caleb Smith during the Friars' Cactus League matchup with the D-backs on Tuesday, equipped with bat flip and all.

“Slam Diego” is back in a big way.

The Padres are widely expected to be serious challengers to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League after a busy offseason. San Diego made a pair of marquee trades by acquiring Blake Snell and Yu Darvish. The Padres also acquired right-hander Joe Musgrove. Those three will join Dinelson Lamet and young arm talent like MacKenzie Gore in forming one of the better rotations in baseball.

Related NewsArticle continues below
San Diego Padres starting pitcher Michael King (34) delivers during the first inning against the Seattle Mariners at Petco Park.
Padres’ Michael King scratched from start vs. Braves
Feb 19, 2025; Peoria, AZ, USA; San Diego Padres pitcher Yu Darvish poses for a portrait during Media Day at Peoria Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Padres’ Yu Darvish suffers setback amid rehab progression
Atlanta Braves pinch runner Eli White (36) reacts after being tagged out by San Diego Padres shortstop Xander Bogaerts (2) during the ninth inning at Truist Park.
Eli White turns in all-time base-running blunder in Braves loss to Padres

General manager A.J. Preller did not just address the rotation, however. The position group was bolstered by the arrival of Japanese infielder Ha-seong Kim, and the Padres also re-signed super utility man Jurickson Profar to a three-year deal.

But Tatis is at the center of it all.

The 22-year-old is one of the most electrifying talents in baseball, a true five-tool shortstop who dazzles with his superb athleticism and tremendous passion. Tatis has already gotten endorsements from Gatorade while being named the cover athlete for MLB The Show 21.

Tatis' extraordinary talent and incredible marketability resulted in the Padres signing him to a 14-year, $340 million contract last week, an unprecedented figure for a player who has played just 143 games in the majors.

San Diego will once again be one of the top MLB clubs to follow in 2020, and Tatis will likely hope to take his game to new heights.