There are awards that validate a season and then there are awards that affirm an identity. For Fernando Tatis Jr., earning his second Gold Glove lands squarely in the latter camp. Since he moved from shortstop to right field, the Padres have built a run-prevention backbone around his athleticism, range, and arm strength.
Among National League right fielders, nobody controlled more air space or basepaths than Tatis. In a year defined by nine first-time winners across MLB, his selection felt less like a debate and more like roll call, announce the name everyone expected, then move on to the highlight reel.