MLB Rookie Report: Trea Turner, SS, Washington Nationals

One year ago, Washington Nationals shortstop prospect Trea Turner was in limbo. He was still a member of the San Diego Padres organization but everyone knew he would be traded to the Nationals once the middle of June came around. He didn't let the weirdness get to him and the 2014 first-rounder from North Carolina State had a great year, hitting .322/.370/.458 with 29 steals overall and finishing with a 40-at-bat trial in the majors.

He was sent down to Triple-A Syracuse to open 2016.

The pre-season vantage from the 2016 Baseball Prospect Book:

Trea Turner, SS, Washington Nationals
Bats: R Throws: R HT: 6-1 WT: 175 DOB: June 30, 1993
2015: Grade B+

The Curious Case of Trea Turner is well known at this point: drafted by the Padres in the first round in 2014, he was traded to the Washington Nationals last winter except not really, since they couldn’t officially trade him until a year after the 2014 draft. He spent two months in semi-limbo with San Antonio, played well, then continued to play well after moving over to the Nats system officially in mid-June. The trade rules have now been changed to avoid similar situations. Turner’s best tool is 70-grade speed but he also has a 55/60 arm and is a solid defensive shortstop. He’s a big threat on the bases, aggressive and polished as well as fast, and so far he’s had few difficulties with professional pitching. He won’t hit 20 homers but he may very well hit 10-12 with maturity, along with a good number of doubles, 20-30 steals, and a high batting average. He could stand to tighten the strike zone and may need some time to fully adjust to major league pitching but overall he should have a long and successful career as a big league shortstop. Grade A-.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTARY

Turner has picked up right where he left off, currently hitting .309/.393/.443 for the Syracuse Chiefs with 14 walks, 17 strikeouts in 97 at-bats. He's stolen 10 bases without being caught and he continues to play well defensively. The one thing he needed to do was improve his plate discipline a bit and it looks like he's done that.

Sometimes a guy is just ready and there isn't much else to say.