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As Nationals pitchers and catchers report, Trea Turner bides his time As Nationals pitchers and catchers report, Trea Turner bides his time
(about 2 hours later)
VIERA, Fla. – As Trea Turner left the field after an informal workout Thursday, a horde of autograph seekers followed, then consumed him. If not for the two gloves balanced on his head and the barrel of the bat resting on his shoulder, one might not have known one of baseball’s top prospects was in the scrum at all. VIERA, Fla. — As Trea Turner left the field after an informal workout Thursday, a horde of autograph seekers followed, then consumed him. If not for the two gloves balanced on his head and the barrel of the bat resting on his shoulder, it would have been difficult to find one of baseball’s top prospects in the scrum at all.
Turner was the last player to leave the field. He had paused for an interview, too. The fans waited anyway. They figure Turner will probably be the starting shortstop for the Washington Nationals someday, and is therefore worth the wait. At his first spring training as a National, his promise, and the hope that he could fulfill it sooner than later, generates this kind of attention. Turner was the last player to leave the field. He had paused for an interview, too. The fans waited anyway. They figure Turner probably will be the starting shortstop for the Washington Nationals someday and is therefore worth the wait. At his first spring training as a National, his promise — and the hope that he could fulfill it sooner than later — generates this kind of attention.
Pitchers and catchers reported to Viera on Thursday — a process that requires players indicate they are in town, but not that they show up at Space Coast Stadium – and many of them worked out Thursday morning. Stephen Strasburg, Max Scherzer and Jonathan Papelbon were among those who didn’t. Physicals come Friday and a first workout Saturday. Absences will be notable then. Pitchers and catchers reported to Viera on Thursday — a process that requires players to indicate they are in town but not necessarily show up at Space Coast Stadium — and many of them worked out Thursday morning. Stephen Strasburg, Max Scherzer and Jonathan Papelbon were among those who didn’t. Physicals come Friday and a first workout Saturday. Absences will be notable then.
[Top story lines as Nationals open spring training][Top story lines as Nationals open spring training]
In the meantime, there is Turner, who may not be a focal point once proven stars arrive, or once the season begins. Then again, perhaps he will be. Nationals General Manager Mike Rizzo said he would be willing to make Turner his regular shortstop if he proves himself to be the best shortstop in camp. In the meantime, there is Turner, who may not be a focal point once proven stars arrive or the season begins. Then again, perhaps he will be. Nationals General Manager Mike Rizzo said he would be willing to make Turner his regular shortstop if he earns it in camp.
“I’m just gonna play,” Turner said. “Everybody’s just gonna play. Whoever wins it, whoever’s there, I think we’ll have a pretty good team this year.” “I’m just going to play,” Turner said. “Everybody’s just going to play. Whoever wins it, whoever’s there, I think we’ll have a pretty good team this year.”
At 22, Turner has a veteran’s polish. He is diplomatic about how he answers questions about his role and teammates and smiles with fans who ambush him for selfies taken before he is given the chance to consent. At 22, Turner has a veteran’s polish. He is diplomatic when he answers questions about his role and teammates and smiles with fans who ambush him for selfies taken before he has a chance to consent.
Nationals executives touted his maturity as he maneuvered through two organizations and three different levels in his first professional season. Still, when he was called up in August, some teammates took one look at his boyish face and light build (he was listed generously last season at 6-foot-1, 175 pounds) and mistook him for a batboy. Nationals executives touted his maturity as he maneuvered through two organizations and three different levels in his first professional season. Still, when he was called up in August, some teammates took one look at his boyish face and light build (he was listed generously last season at 6 feet 1, 175 pounds) and mistook him for a batboy.
[Expectations are lower for Nats. Is that a good thing?][Expectations are lower for Nats. Is that a good thing?]
The former cannot be helped, but Turner set out to change the latter, working to add some weight this offseason to help withstand the rigors of the season and gain strength. He did, though the “eight to 10 pounds” of added bulk don’t show much at all. Turner knows speed is his most treasured weapon, and did not want to sacrifice it. After two days of hitting on the field, as opposed to in the cage – in other words, two days of being able to see how the ball travels off his bat – Turner said he noticed the ball carrying more. The former cannot be helped, but Turner set out to change the latter, working to add some weight this offseason to help withstand the rigors of the season and gain strength. He did, though the “eight to 10 pounds” of added bulk don’t show. Turner knows speed is his most treasured weapon and did not want to sacrifice it. After two days of hitting on the field as opposed to in the cage — in other words, two days of being able to see how the ball travels off his bat — Turner said he noticed the ball carrying more.
“I don’t know if it was the wind or what,” Turner said. “But I’m not going to question it if the ball goes a little bit farther.”“I don’t know if it was the wind or what,” Turner said. “But I’m not going to question it if the ball goes a little bit farther.”
Power will not determine whether Turner makes the big league club this season. Contact, speed and defense will. He knows “being more consistent” is a boring improvement plan, but it’s the one he’s holding himself to these days.Power will not determine whether Turner makes the big league club this season. Contact, speed and defense will. He knows “being more consistent” is a boring improvement plan, but it’s the one he’s holding himself to these days.
Turner did not get much chance at his natural shortstop in the big leagues last season – three putouts and four assists in six games – so while he admitted he cannot say definitively how much faster the major league game is there, he figures he can handle it. Turner did not get much chance at shortstop in the big leagues last season — three putouts and four assists in six games — playing more at second base. While he admitted he cannot say definitively how much faster the major league game is at shortstop, he figures he can handle it.
[Sports Bog: According to ESPN, Nats offseason wasn’t that bad][Sports Bog: According to ESPN, Nats offseason wasn’t that bad]
Offensively, Turner did not have much time to establish consistency last season. He played for two organizations in three different minor leagues and hit .322 over 116 games before hitting .225 in 44 sporadic big league plate appearances. Offensively, Turner did not have much time to establish consistency last season. He played for three minor leagues teams in two organizations and hit .322 over 116 games before hitting .225 in 44 sporadic big league plate appearances.
“I started off slow all year at each level that I went to, and as I got more reps and more comfortable, I adjusted,” Turner said. “That’s the big thing with me: I’ll make the adjustment eventually. It may take longer at different levels, but that’s kind of what I think I did.”“I started off slow all year at each level that I went to, and as I got more reps and more comfortable, I adjusted,” Turner said. “That’s the big thing with me: I’ll make the adjustment eventually. It may take longer at different levels, but that’s kind of what I think I did.”
Turner will not have to adjust to so many new places, coaches, and teammates this season. He played in Class AAA Syracuse for a few games last season and spent September in the majors. Wherever he lands, he will know coaches and teammates, and they will know his game, too. Turner will not have to adjust to so many new places, coaches and teammates this season. He played in Class AAA Syracuse for 48 games last season and spent September in the majors. Wherever he lands, he will know coaches and teammates, and they will know his game, too.
“I know we have some new faces on the team and on the staff, but for the most part, I know everybody,” Turner said. “It’s a lot more comforting to come in to camp like this.” “I know we have some new faces on the team and on the staff, but for the most part, I know everybody,” Turner said. “It’s a lot more comforting to come into camp like this.”
Perhaps someday, Turner will report to camp as the center of attention, a bona fide star like the ones who will steal the spotlight from him when they arrive over the next few days. In the meantime, he is unconsumed by the attention, his poise in the present visible despite the focus on his future. Perhaps someday, Turner will report to camp as the center of attention, a bona fide star like the ones who will steal the spotlight from him when they arrive over the next few days. In the meantime, he is not consumed by the attention, his poise in the present visible despite the focus on his future.