With a quizzical look on our face we scanned over the 2020 Silver Slugger Award winners the day after they came out. At the National League shortstop position, Fernando Tatis Jr. was the recipient of the top offensive player. Our confused look came from the fact Trea Turner put up better numbers than Tatis in several categories.
Two games into the 2021 season, Trea Turner is trying to put all doubts aside about who the best offensive shortstop in the league is.
Two games into the year Washington Nationals shortstop Trea Turner is showing why he is the best offensive threat at the position in the National League.
There are a lot of balls in play right now with Turner. He is coming off arguably his best offensive season as a professional, .335 batting average with a .982 OPS, majors best 78 hits, league best four triples, while finishing seventh in the Most Valuable Player voting.
Months after being shunned for the Silver Slugger Award he learned Franciso Lindor was being traded to the National League’s New York Mets. Does this matter? No, it does not. Other than Trea being disrespected more when pundits say Lindor is now the best shortstop in the division. As Turner sits and wait for a contract extension from the Nationals, Lindor is the owner of a new 10 YR/$341M contract of his own.
How does Trea respond, by hitting two home runs in his first five at-bats of the season.
With a handful of regulars out because of COVID quarantine, the Nationals will lean heavily on Turner the first week of the season. Moved to the two spot in the batting order, he has done a good job of moving leadoff hitter Victor Robles around when he gets on base ahead of him.
Time for the rest of baseball to recognize what Nationals fans already know. Trea Turner is a legit offensive threat and will wreak havoc on the league this year.