San Diego Padres right fielder Fernando Tatis Jr. and Seattle Mariners center fielder Julio Rodriguez have both built strong reputations in MLB. Tatis has spent six remarkable years in the league, solidifying himself as one of the most electric players in the sport.
He has earned three All-Star selections, two Gold Glove Awards, two Platinum Gloves and two Silver Sluggers, showcasing his standing as one of the best defensive players in the game.
At the plate, he is just as dangerous. The 27-year-old posted a .268 batting average, a .368 on-base percentage and an .814 OPS with 25 home runs and 71 RBIs across 155 games in 2025.
Rodriguez is equally talented, having just completed his fourth season with the Mariners. His performance helped Seattle reach the American League Championship Series, equaling the deepest postseason run in franchise history.
Rodriguez has already collected the AL Rookie of the Year Award, three top-10 finishes in AL MVP voting, three All-Star selections and two Silver Sluggers.
In 2025, he recorded a .267 batting average, .324 on-base percentage and .798 OPS while hitting 32 home runs and driving in 95 RBIs across 160 games. Both players are widely regarded as two of the league’s brightest players.
On Monday, Rodriguez celebrated his 25th birthday and marked the milestone on social media. He shared a slideshow featuring moments with family, friends and fellow athletes, including Boston Red Sox legend David Ortiz and Padres superstar Fernando Tatis Jr. The photos highlighted the connections Rodriguez has built both inside and outside of baseball.
Upon seeing the image of himself alongside Rodriguez, Tatis left a comment for the Mariners slugger. “Hay que VIVIRRRR🖤,” he wrote, a Spanish phrase that translates to “We have to live🖤.”
The bond between Tatis and Rodriguez is not by chance. Both are natives of the Dominican Republic, sharing the same nationality and cultural roots. Their friendship reflects the pride and unity that Dominican players often carry into the league, serving as ambassadors for their country’s baseball tradition.
With the World Baseball Classic approaching, both Tatis and Rodriguez are expected to suit up for the Dominican Republic on the international stage. Their presence will not only strengthen the roster but also highlight the impact of Dominican talent on the game.
Ultimately, both Tatis and Rodriguez will shift their focus back to MLB this upcoming season, with the shared goal of delivering a World Series title for their respective franchises, something the Padres and Mariners have yet to achieve in their history.