Philly Leader

Trea Turner, a key player for the Philadelphia Phillies, may see a shift in his batting position this season. Manager Rob Thomson is considering placing Turner as the leadoff hitter, moving him from his usual second spot in the lineup. "As long as he's got the mindset of getting on base – and I think he does – being in the leadoff spot could help that a little bit," Thomson remarked.

Turner has primarily batted second during his tenure with the Phillies, appearing there 234 times compared to 38 times as leadoff. The potential change aims to utilize Turner's speed and increase his selectivity at the plate. Turner expressed enthusiasm about returning to leadoff, stating, "I think it would be fun, it would be a little different."

The shift might impact Turner's approach at bat. Since joining the Phillies, Turner has chased more pitches than in previous seasons (34.7% compared to 27.4%), leading to inconsistent performance. He noted similarities with early struggles from 2023 but remains optimistic about improving his game.

Thomson hopes that if Turner can improve his on-base percentage and maintain power hitting, it will bolster the team's offensive production. "He’s just trying to do too much," Thomson said regarding Turner's adaptation challenges after moving to Philadelphia.

As spring training progresses, no final decision has been made about Turner's placement in the lineup. However, both he and Thomson are hopeful that these adjustments will contribute positively to the team's performance this season.