Washington Nationals: Predicting the home team all-stars
By Blake Finney
Trea Turner set for ASG bow
After the two certainties in Harper and Scherzer, it gets trickier. But with the season he’s having so far, Trea Turner would more than deserve a spot on the team, if not starting.
The young shortstop would’ve hoped to make the squad last season in his first full big league year. But an early season hamstring injury, followed by a fractured wrist in June ruled that out.
This season has been a much better story, playing in all but one of the Washington Nationals’ games so far. And boasts a pretty impressive stat line to boot.
He has a .270 AVG, .380 OBP, 26 runs and 13 stolen bases this season. In Eaton’s absence, the speedster has been the ideal prototypical leadoff hitter for the Nats.
Turner has really matured in 2018, and looks to have top spot in the lineup locked up, even when Eaton returns. This is due to his vastly improved plate discipline, taking a lot more walks. This year he has 28 walks and just 31 strikeouts, only 2 walks shy of his 2017 total in 55 fewer games.
His primary competition as shortstop is the Chicago Cubs’ Javier Baez, who has also improved a lot this year. Baez has an advantage with the glove, but Turner has the edge with the bat. It’s a tough position to call.
But regardless of who gets the starting nod, Turner should at least make it as a reserve.