The wait for Fernando Tatis Jr. didn’t last long.
The 20-year-old shortstop of the future cracked the opening day roster and far exceeded expectations in a stellar rookie campaign slowed only by injuries. The hamstring that cost Tatis more than a month early in the year and the stress reaction in his back ended his season in August when it looked like he’d make a serious run at NL Rookie of the Year.
That alone is a huge win for a farm system largely considered the best in baseball to start the year. But Luis Urias also graduated — albeit after a demotion and a slow start upon his return to the majors — and the next wave of up-the middle prospects took giant steps forward in 2019, keeping the Padres rich in talent at premium positions on the field.