Fernando Tatis Jr.won the Platinum Glove award for 2023 as the best defender in the National League:

Tatis’ transition from shortstop to right field is well documented. The level at which he played a new position at the major league level is astounding. He was second in all of baseball in Defensive Runs Saved at 27. Only Toronto’s Daulton Varsho had more. Seeing as he is in the American League, that means Tatis has the highest Defensive Runs Saved of any National League defender at any position. Which makes sense, now that he has been named the Platinum fielder of the NL.

He resided in the 94th percentile for Outs Above Average and the 99th percentile for arm strength. Among right fielders specifically, he led with 11 Outs Above Average. Second place had six. Tatis was also tied for the third-most outfield assists with 12. Teams quickly learned that they should not run on Tatis’ arm.

EastVillageTimes.com

Shortstops who can hit can always be moved to another position if they, like Tatis, find that injuries limit their ability at the top defensive position behind the pitcher. The defense will often translate to the easier position.

I still believe the Yankees big mistake 20 years ago was keeping Derek Jeter at shortstop when they acquired Alex Rodriguez. Bernie Williams was in decline, and Jeter played shortstop poorly relative to the league. Jeter was fantastic at running down play balls, however. So a move of Williams to DH, Jeter to centerfield, and Rodriguez to short would have improved the team at two defensive positions while keeping the bats in the lineup.

It’s good that San Diego realized this early, and are reaping the defensive benefits of Tatis in the outfield, while persevering his ability to hit by limiting injuries.