Mets' Juan Soto Calls Padres' Fernando Tatis Jr. Best Player in MLB

New York Mets slugger Juan Soto had high praise for San Diego Padres star Fernando Tatis Jr. entering the 2025 MLB season.

“Fernando Tatis Jr is the best player in the game for me; he can do it all in the field," Soto said, via MLB insider Héctor Gómez. "You can see player that do everything at least average or better but he does everything elite. He has won the Platinum Glove, can hit 40 home runs in San Diego, hits .300, runs, knows how to play the game and how to move on both sides of the ball and has a cannon of an arm. What else can you ask a player to do that he doesn’t do already?"

Tatis was limited to just 102 games in 2024 as he dealt with a stress reaction in his thigh bone, but he still made the second All-Star appearance of his career. He finished the year with 21 home runs, 21 doubles and 49 RBI to go along with a .276/.340/.492 slash line.

Tatis stepped up in the postseason, racking up four homers and seven RBI in seven appearances.

The 26-year-old has showcased his all-around game throughout his tenure in the majors, compiling a National League-leading 42 home runs in 2021 as well as a No. 3 finish in NL MVP voting.

Tatis also earned Platinum Glove honors in 2023.

While Soto's confidence in Tatis is admirable, there isn't a good argument to rank him as the top player in MLB. Especially considering other stars such as Los Angeles Dodgers two-way standout Shohei Ohtani have also contributed in multiple roles, with Ohtani amassing 98 home runs and 225 RBI over the past two seasons.

As for Soto, the four-time All-Star is set to enter his first season with the Mets after signing a massive 15-year contract worth $765 million with the club in free agency.

Both players will be competing for the NL pennant, but Soto gave compliments to his former Padres teammate with Opening Day approaching.