Trea Turner is still searching for the ‘complete’ version of himself

PHILADELPHIA — The Trea Turner Experience is ever evolving.

The offensive numbers through one month are interesting. He is getting on-base at a .367 clip. His batting average is .290. He is 10-for-23 in his last five games. But the power hasn’t been there. He has six extra-base hits, and just one home run. His .365 slugging percentage in March/April is the third-lowest of his career in months where he has had at least 100 plate appearances behind July 2023 (.356) and August 2024 (.357). His .367 on-base percentage is the third-highest mark in a single month in his Phillies career (min. 100 PA).

The outside expectation coming into the season was that Turner was going to be the team’s primary leadoff hitter. He has made only seven starts in the leadoff spot. All have come against left-handed starting pitchers. But he has adopted the traditional leadoff mentality on all nights, leading to an emphasis on getting on-base for the big bats behind him in Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber.

“Trying to get on base for Bryce and Kyle is big,” Turner said. “Finding any way you can. Tonight was one of those nights.”

But Turner is also a big bat in the lineup, and finding that balance between being the table setter and the guy who gets the big knock when needed is the next step in Turner’s evolution as a Phillie. Tuesday night was an encouraging sign. He went 4-for-4 with three singles and an RBI double in the bottom of the eighth that later turned into a key insurance run.

It’s admittedly strange to think of a veteran like Turner in that light.

“Got to be a complete player,” Turner said.

He has been that guy in the past. That and his one-of-a-kind athleticism is what made him a star player in his seven years with the Washington Nationals. The Phillies signed him to a monster deal prior to the 2023 season to be that guy for at least the first few years of the contract.

It has looked different for him at times at the plate, but he has been as advertised on defense. He can make the highlight reel plays — and turn a ground ball out into an adventure. In the eighth, Turner had the right instinct to throw to home on a ground ball with runners on the corners with no outs. He could have took one or two steps to tag second, then come home. Or he could have taken the 6-3 double play and allowed the run to score. The throw to home sailed wide, and the catcher J.T. Realmuto salvaged the play with a run-saving leap to prevent the ball from going to the backstop. A ball that could have led to two outs turned into no outs. He was saved by José Alvarado’s three straight strikeouts with the bases loaded.

An inning later, Turner fielded a ground ball on the backhand, but a high throw led another Nationals baserunner to reach safely. The run came around to score when Orion Kerkering allowed a go-ahead three-run home run to Nathaniel Lowe to make it 6-5 Nationals.

It’s as if Turner goes into defensive slumps.

“I played some good defense early in this game,” Turner said. “I made some good plays, and then having that happen at the end of the game is definitely tough, especially in a big situation like that. Them coming back, maybe wouldn’t have thought about it if they don’t score any runs right there. Obviously, it feels like it’s on me when that happens. Like I said, just got to clean it up.”

It’s up to the Phillies to decide when it’s appropriate for Turner to move off of the position. For now, they must tolerate the good and the bad in his journey to be complete.