Tatis Jr. Leads MLB in Hard-Hit Balls Despite No Homers

The San Diego Padres star is barreling the ball at an elite rate to start the 2026 season.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 1:11pm

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A cubist, multi-perspective painting depicting the baseball swing and statistics of Fernando Tatis Jr., with sharp, overlapping geometric planes in the colors of the San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Dodgers uniforms.Tatis Jr.'s elite bat speed and power potential shine through in the fractured, geometric visuals.San Diego Today

Despite not hitting a single home run through the first 14 games of the 2026 MLB season, San Diego Padres superstar Fernando Tatis Jr. is leading the league in a key offensive statistic - balls hit with an exit velocity of 95+ mph. Tatis has matched Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman with 24 such hard-hit balls, showcasing his elite bat speed and power potential even without the home runs to show for it yet.

Why it matters

Tatis Jr. is one of the most exciting young players in baseball, and his ability to consistently barrel up the ball at an elite level is a promising sign for the Padres' offense, even if the home runs haven't started falling yet. As the season progresses, it's likely only a matter of time before Tatis' power stroke catches up to his hard-hitting ways.

The details

Through the first 14 games of the 2026 season, Tatis Jr. is batting just .189 with no home runs. However, advanced metrics like exit velocity tell a different story - Tatis has matched Dodgers star Freddie Freeman with 24 balls hit at 95+ mph, tied for the most in MLB. This showcases Tatis' elite bat speed and power potential, even if the home runs haven't started falling yet. As a team, the Padres have hit 11 home runs so far, tied for 20th in the league, so Tatis' power outage has been a factor. But with his ability to consistently barrel up the ball, it's likely only a matter of time before the home runs start flowing for the dynamic young slugger.

  • The 2026 MLB season began on April 1st.
  • Through the first 14 games of the season, Tatis Jr. has yet to hit a home run.

The players

Fernando Tatis Jr.

A star outfielder for the San Diego Padres, known for his elite power and athleticism.

Freddie Freeman

An All-Star first baseman for the Los Angeles Dodgers, regarded as one of the best hitters in baseball.

San Diego Padres

A Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California, known for their talented roster and high-powered offense.

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What they’re saying

“Needless to say, that trend will not hold up. Especially if he keeps barreling the ball as much as he does, eventually, the power will overcome the odds, and the home runs will start flowing.”

— Justin Bonhard, Author

What’s next

As the 2026 MLB season continues, all eyes will be on Fernando Tatis Jr. to see if his elite hard-hitting ways translate to more home runs as the year progresses.

The takeaway

Despite his slow start in the power department, Tatis Jr.'s ability to consistently barrel up the ball at an elite level is a promising sign for the Padres' offense. It's likely only a matter of time before his power stroke catches up to his hard-hitting ways, making him one of the most dangerous hitters in baseball.