Trea Turner Leading Off? Rob Thompson likes his options
Philly Rob is licking his lips with anticipation as he overlooks the team’s first true practice today in Clearwater. Championship aspirations can be see all over everyone’s faces, after getting a taste of success last season. The guys look loose, and know exactly what Philadelphia is expecting of them as the city yearns for a championship after three straight heartbreaks in championship games. But the Phillies are here and ready to compete. The team is bumping music, having fun, and ready to hit dingers. But now, as fans, its our time to speculate on what this team will look like on opening day and one of the biggest questions of all….. Who is batting leadoff?
The biggest acquisition of the off-season, Trea Turner, finds himself in a familiar position, getting ready to lead off for a lineup expected to produce. Turner brings something unique to the Phillies that we have lacked since JRoll…. A true leadoff hitter. Trea Turner not only brings a great bat, but the speed at the top of the lineup that we have lacked for years. Turner leads the league in steals with 181 since 2018. Rob Thompson will be mixing and matching all spring to figure out the best lineup without Bryce, however, it seems clear that Trea will bat 1, with Schwarber following him at 2. “It all depends when [Bryce Harper] gets back, but before Harp gets back, I think we’re probably going to have him in the leadoff spot. He’s high on-base, high slug, too, but high on-base and we need that. That gives you more of a chance to have somebody on base when Schwarber gets up and [Rhys] Hoskins and J.T. [Realmuto]. I think that’s probably where we’re leaning right now” The Phillies implored a non-traditional approach last year with Schwarber leading off. Although Schwarber helped set the lineup with a .323 OBP, he typically had no one on in front of him for his National League leading49 homeruns, leading to missed opportunities with RBIs. The signing of Turner was the exact thing this lineup needed, somebody on base for Schwarber to bring in and get the offense rolling quickly.
Once Harper comes back from the Injured List, Philly Rob will have his choices to change up the lineup, mixing and matching the lefty/righty splits within the team. He may find himself batting Trea 2nd at points to break up Schwarber and Harper, however, this will not be determined until Harper comes back which isn’t expected until July. The best part about Trea Turner…. It doesn’t seem to matter where he hits. Trea’s career splits are almost identical depending on his place in the lineup. At leadoff, Trea has a .303 average with a .353 obp. Batting 2nd, Trea has a .305 average with a .359 OBP, and when he bats 3rd, he has a .311 average with a .367 OBP. All of this to say…. We got ourselves a baller. Philly fans, Its Time!
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