Nats Call Up Trea Turner

The Washington Nationals have called up former NC State shortstop Trea Turner.  In 116 games this season across Double-A and Triple-A, Turner has a batting average of .322, and has 8 home runs, 7 triples, 24 doubles and 29 stolen bases.  Turner is the #2 prospect in the Nationals farm system, and the #1 position player.

Turner was sitting in a movie, “Straight Outta Compton,” with his Syracuse teammates when his phone rang. He didn’t recognize the number, so he didn’t pick up. It kept ringing, so he finally answered. Chiefs manager Billy Gardner was on the other end, and asked Turner if he’d ever been to Washington D.C. He had, once, when he was younger. Gardner told him he was going back. (Post)

He earned 1st team All-American honors and 1st team All-ACC at NC State in 2013, and is the career stolen base leader in NC State history.  The San Diego Padres selected Turner in the first round with the 13th overall pick in the 2014 MLB Draft.

Turner doesn’t necessarily have a direct route to playing time, but the Nationals are looking for a spark.  He has played shortstop all year, but he did play his first game at 2nd base this week for the Nationals Triple-A affiliate.  We will have to see how quickly Turner’s role develops with the Nats.

Congrats Trea!