Nationals Player Of Week (8/22-8/28): Trea Turner
For the first time this season, Trea Turner is our pick for the Nationals Player Of The Week
This week, the Washington Nationals went 2-5 against the Baltimore Orioles and the Colorado Rockies. Despite that sub .500 record this week, there were some standout performers. Max Scherzer threw an eight-inning, two-hit shutout on Thursday, Daniel Murphy drove in nine runs, and Bryce Harper was one of three players who hit two home runs.
However, this week’s player of the week goes to center fielder Trea Turner. Turner had an excellent week at the plate as he went 16-for-32 (.500) with six runs scored, a solo home run, and four steals in six chances. His 16 hits were the most of any player in baseball this week and he had six straight multi-hit games.
Turner continued to set trends this week out of the leadoff spot. He had eight consecutive hits against the Orioles (Tuesday and Wednesday), which tied a Nationals/Expos record. Plus, his 27 runs this month (second in MLB) broke a Nats team record for the most runs scored in a month:
With that homer, Trea Turner set a franchise record with 27 runs in one month as a rookie.
— Chase Hughes (@ChaseHughesNBCS) August 28, 2016
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It is rare to see Turner get thrown out trying to steal a base with his speed. The two times he was caught stealing in that loss to the Orioles came on challenges by O’s manager Buck Showalter and two good tags by second baseman Jonathan Schoop.
During the month of August, the 23-year-old has a slash line of .359/369/,590 with five home runs, 14 RBI’s, and ten stolen bases in 13 chances. His 42 hits are tied with one of the favorites for AL MVP, Mookie Betts (Red Sox), for the most in baseball. Plus, he is tied for fourth in the National League in stolen bases.
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During the second half of the season, Turner has been the spark that the Washington Nationals needed at the leadoff spot of the batting order. Plus, he has done a good job playing center field for someone who just started to play the position back at triple-A Syracuse in June (-1 run saved, according to Fangraphs).
Since the All-Star Break, the Washington Nationals are only two games above .500 (21-19). Turner has made an impact on this team still being over .500 during that 40-game period. Before the season, Turner (.345 batting average in 41 games) was one of those guys that were projected to be a difference maker for the Nats. It is clear that he has made a big difference on this team so far.