"I can't shake the PED allegations" - MLB analyst on Fernando Tatis Jr.'s controversial past as Padres superstar turns 26

San Diego Padres outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr. is undoubtedly one of the most talented superstars in the MLB. Nevertheless, the two-time All-Star has plenty of room for improvement, considering that he celebrated his 26th birthday this week.

Former Minnesota Twins third baseman Trevor Plouffe feels the public opinion on Tatis can be polarizing due to the cheating allegations against him. Plouffe believes that Tatis has to replicate the level of performance he showed before he was suspended for using PEDs a few years ago to clean his reputation.

Fernando Tatis Jr. made his major league debut in 2019 and finished third in the National League Rookie of the Year voting. He finished in the top five of the MVP race for the next two seasons and also led the NL with 42 home runs in 2021. However, Tatis missed the start of the 2022 campaign with injury before he was suspended for 80 games after testing positive for PEDs.

Trevor Plouffe gave his thoughts on Fernando Tatis Jr. during the Baseball Today podcast on Jomboy Media on Friday.

"Most people that aren't in San Diego look at him and think, "Well, I don't know, man. Seems like he cheated." And so, there's a stain there," Plouffe said. "If you're in San Diego, you love him. So, I think the opinion on Tatis Jr. is all over the place.

"My personal opinion on him: love watching the guy play," he said. "The talent is undeniable, but I can't shake the PED allegations. He'd have to get to pre-PED numbers, for me, to shake it, and he really hasn't done that. So, that's where I'm at. I love watching the guy play. But I'm always going to be thinking about what happened a couple of years ago."

Tatis Jr. has transitioned from the shortstop position into a Platinum Glove-winning right fielder since returning from suspension in 2023. However, his slugging numbers have dropped dramatically, as he hasn't hit more than 25 home runs in a season.

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"They don't care": Trevor Plouffe on young fans admiring Fernando Tatis Jr. despite his tarnished reputation

Fernando Tatis Jr. has moved into an outfield role for the Padres since returning from his PED suspension (Image Source: Imagn)

Fernando Tatis Jr. started the 2022 campaign on the IL after getting injured in a motorcycle accident in the offseason.

Before he could return to the field, Tatis was suspended by MLB after testing positive for clostebol, a banned anabolic steroid. The San Diego Padres superstar denied any intentions of cheating, saying that it possibly came from a medication he had taken to treat ringworm.

Nevertheless, Trevor Plouffe said that the younger generation still admires the Padres outfielder as a role model even though he has been suspended for alleged PED use.

"Different age levels think different things of him," Plouffe stated. "I know the young kids still love Fernando Tatis Jr. And they'll even say they know he got busted for PEDs. They don't care. They love watching this guy play.

"And if you didn't know any [better], there was no news, and you just watched the game, you'd say, "This guy is un-freaking-believable." He does things on the field that make you go, "Wow!" every single game."

Tatis was named to the All-Star team last year and ended the year on a .276/.340/.492 slash line with 21 home runs, 49 RBIs and an OPS+ of 130.