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Washington Nationals: Three Reasons For Optimism Despite The Slow Start

By Max Rayman

Trea Turner #7 of the Washington Nationals is congratulated by Juan Soto #22 after hitting a solo home run in the seventh inning during a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on August 31, 2020 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies won 8-6. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images)
Trea Turner #7 of the Washington Nationals is congratulated by Juan Soto #22 after hitting a solo home run in the seventh inning during a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on August 31, 2020 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies won 8-6. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images) /
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Trea Turner
rea Turner #7 of the Washington Nationals hits a home run in the eighth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Nationals Park on April 18, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images) /

Trea Turner is playing at an MVP level

The 2020 season saw Trea Turner reach superstar status after finally breaking out. In 59 games, he hit .324, with12 homers, 41 RBIs, and an OPS of .982. Unfortunately, he was snubbed for the All-MLB team at shortstop.

Instead of letting it get to him, Turner has taken the 2021 season by storm, hitting .324, with 10 homers, 25 RBIs, and an OPS of .903 through 43 games. He leads all NL shortstops (minimum 100 plate appearances) in fWAR and batting average. He’s second in OBP, SLG, wRC+, OPS, and stolen bases.

Despite injuries flaring up and players being put on the COVID list, Trea Turner has still found a way to be the most consistent bat in the lineup. Dave Martinez has continually tinkered with the lineup, having the speedster lead off one day and hit second the next. Regardless of where he was moved, he produced from every spot.

Turner’s bat has kept Washington in games and his glove has significantly improved from a year ago. Last year he had -5 DRS and a -2.9 UZR. He also posted -1 outs above average (OOA). This year, he has two DRS and a .7 UZR, while posting 0 OOA.

On the basepaths, he hasn’t been his usual base-stealing threat, not wanting to risk getting out with Soto batting behind him. Now that he has multiple ways to hurt opposing teams, Turner will single handily keep Washington in games.

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