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MLB Trends: Tatis' Slump, Sasaki's Splitter, and NL's Dominance
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The 2026 MLB season is underway, and several trends are emerging. From Fernando Tatis Jr.'s unexpected power outage to Roki Sasaki's rediscovered splitter and the National League's growing dominance, here's a recap of the latest.
Key Insights
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Fernando Tatis Jr.'s Power Outage:: Despite hitting the ball hard, Tatis hasn't hit a home run in nearly 200 plate appearances due to an extreme opposite-field approach. Why this matters: Tatis needs to adjust his stance to regain his power, as his current approach limits his offensive potential.
•
Roki Sasaki's New/Old Splitter:: Dodgers pitcher Roki Sasaki has introduced a splitter, a pitch he used in Japan, to complement his forkball. Why this matters: The splitter gives Sasaki a greater arsenal to expand his repertoire, forcing hitters to cover different velocity ranges and movement profiles.
•
National League Dominance:: The National League is dominating interleague play, a trend that has grown since the universal DH was implemented. Why this matters: The AL is losing talent to the NL, contributing to the NL's current superiority.
In-Depth Analysis
Fernando Tatis Jr.'s Power Outage
Fernando Tatis Jr. is experiencing a significant power outage, despite making hard contact. The issue isn't the quality of contact but the direction of his hits. Tatis is hitting the ball to the opposite field far more often than in previous seasons.
| Year | Pulled Air Rate | Overall Pulled Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 22.2% | 42.4% |
| 2023 | 15.1% | 39.5% |
| 2024 | 14.5% | 38.9% |
| 2025 | 12.0% | 36.2% |
| 2026 | 6.3% | 25.4% |
| MLB Average | 16.8% | 36.4% |
This shift is attributed to a closed batting stance, restricting his ability to pull the ball for power. Padres hitting coach Steven Souza Jr. and manager Craig Stammen are working with Tatis to adjust his mechanics. Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union-Tribune notes that Tatis isn't the first Padre to face a power outage, and adjustments are being made to correct the issue. Read more on Tatis' slump here?ref=yanuki.com
Roki Sasaki's New Splitter
Roki Sasaki has reintroduced the splitter, a pitch he previously threw in Japan. This pitch, combined with his forkball, gives him two distinct breaking balls with different velocities and movement profiles.
The splitter averages 90.1 mph with less drop and more horizontal movement than his 85.1 mph forkball. Hitters are missing over 40% of their swings against the splitter. Learn more about Sasaki's pitches?ref=yanuki.com
National League Dominance
The National League is currently dominating interleague play. Since the introduction of the universal DH in 2022, the NL has steadily improved its interleague winning percentage:
| Year(s) | NL Interleague Winning Percentage |
|---|---|
| 1997-2021 (no universal DH) | .476 |
| 2022-2025 (universal DH) | .513 |
| 2026 | .580 |
This dominance is partly due to the AL losing talent to the NL, with players like Mookie Betts and Shohei Ohtani moving to National League teams. Explore the AL/NL talent shift?ref=yanuki.com
FAQs
•
Q: Why is Fernando Tatis Jr. not hitting home runs?
He is hitting the ball hard, but his extreme opposite-field approach is limiting his power.
•
Q: What is Roki Sasaki's new pitch?
Sasaki has introduced a splitter, which he used in Japan, to complement his forkball.
•
Q: Why is the National League dominating interleague play?
The NL has benefited from the universal DH and the influx of talent from the American League.
Key Takeaways
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Fernando Tatis Jr. needs to adjust his batting stance to regain his power.
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Roki Sasaki's splitter provides him with a valuable weapon to diversify his pitching arsenal.
•
The National League's dominance in interleague play reflects a broader shift in talent and competitiveness between the leagues.
Discussion
Do you think Tatis will regain his power form? How will Sasaki's new splitter impact his performance? Share this article with others who need to stay ahead of this trend!
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